The idea for a book of records begins in the early 1950s when Sir Hugh Beaver (1890—1967), Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery, attended a shooting party in County Wexford. There, he and his hosts argued about the fastest game bird in Europe, and fail to find an answer in any reference book.
In 1954, recalling his shooting party argument, Sir Hugh had the idea for a Guinness promotion based on the idea of settling pub arguments and invites the twins Norris and Ross McWhirter to compile a book of facts and figures.
After an initial research phase, work begins on writing the book, that year after year became an all-time best seller and one of the most recognised brands in the world.
Test yourself with our quiz: 10 questions on the weirdest Guinness World Records ever.
