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Biggest, smallest, fastest: I test the Guinness World Records

From the toughest shoe laces to the highest-popping toaster – it’s all in a day’s work for record maestro Sam Mason

By Catherine de Lange

15 December 2015

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

What do you do on a typical day as a Guinness World Records manager?
We receive about 1000 applications a week, and I’m part of the team that replies to them. We investigate their claim to see whether we can recognise their suggestion. We have lots of theoretical conversations about bizarre topics.

What sort of bizarre topics?
One conversation we had recently was about how to standardise the record for the most spears caught from a spear gun in 1 minute, while underwater.

The most spears caught from a speargun? Really?
Yes. Caught underwater. The current record is held by…

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