The Guinness Book of Records was first published in 1955, due to an argument between the managing director of Guinness (at the time) and another pub patron. They argued over which bird was the fastest game bird in Europe, but couldn’t find references to it anywhere. He then decided to write a book full of records such as these. This was in 1951, and 4 years later, the first edition was published, with 197 pages of records. The editions since have been filled with an incredible number of useful records, but there were also a number of incredibly odd ones over time. Here are x of the strangest!

Most People Brushing Their Teeth in the Same Venue

On 20th September 2003, 10240 students brushed their teeth simultaneously for at least 60 seconds in Shenshen City, China. How this is even in the Guinness Book of Records, I’m unsure. It’s not some amazing feat of engineering, an example of human potential or excellence, it’s a record of getting loads of people to brush their teeth on the street together. It’s not something that requires any great skill, motivation or inspiration, it’s just people performing a daily activity, but together. Its records like this that makes the Guinness Book of Records that little bit less amazing.

Longest TV-Watching Marathon

From the 4th of December to the 6th of December, 3 British men (Nick Tungatt, Adam King and Steven Hayes) all watched TV continually for 47 hours and 16 seconds. Why this is even in the book, I’m not sure. It doesn’t achieve anything great for mankind, it doesn’t show others what we are capable of, I highly doubt it inspires others to copy their achievement. All it does is show 3 men’s (lazy men) ability to sit in front of a box transmitting images for nearly 2 straight days. It’s not exactly some great physical challenge, it’s more of a “don’t die of boredom” challenge.

Blindfold Motorcycle Speed Record

I can’t believe they even have a category for this one. The record is 265.33 km/h (or 164.87mph) and was set on August 2, 2003. Surely the only difference between this activity and normal motorcycle records is that you don’t see the end of the road when you’re blindfolded. Surely the actual accelerating part is the same as normal, so the only difference between the two records is luck (and having the cajones to trust you’re not right beside the wall already).

Its records like these that make me regret buying the Guinness Book of Records sometimes. Sure, it has loads of great records, but it also has these records that detract from the “spirit” of the book (for want of a better word). I love trivia, don’t get me wrong, but not tooth-brushing, TV-watching, blind-cycling trivia.