Adrenaline sports associated with the energy drink
Can you imagine living in a world tailored for toddlers? That's probably how people suffering from gigantism feel. Gigantism is a real condition, and although extremely rare, some people do suffer from it and try to live a life in a world where virtually everyone is shorter than them. The condition is caused by an excess of growth hormone (GH) which is sometimes associated with tumor growths on the pituitary gland. People with gigantism usually grow to be 2.1 to 2.7 m (7 to 9 ft) tall.
Sometimes this condition is accompanied by acromegaly later in life (or it can happen on its own), which is a disorder that results from an excess of GH after the growth plates have closed (whereas in gigantism, it's during childhood), which can result in enlarged forehead, jaw, and nose.
In this gallery, we look back at the real-life human "giants" in history and their fascinating stories. Click through!
These three bone fragments (the one in the middle is a regular-sized bone) were discovered in 1890. It's believed to have belonged to a human from the Bronze Age that might have been about 3.50 m (11 ft 6 in) tall, though no modern studies have been conducted.
Legend has it that the "Childe of Hale" (as he was known) was so tall that he slept with his feet out of the window.
Also known as De Groote Meid ("The Big Girl" in English), this Dutch woman is often cited as the tallest woman ever, at 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in). Though the veracity of this information is still disputed to this day.
In 1753, this Irish giant moved to London, England, where he became a local attraction at around 2.13 m (7 ft) tall.
Born Arthur James Caley in the Isle of Man, he was also known as the "Arabian Giant" or the "Palestine Giant." He moved to the US and lived his life as a performer. Though he was credited as being 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in) tall, he was most likely around 2.26 m (7 ft 5 in).
This Scottish-born Canadian man was known for his tremendous size and strength. He once performed for Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle, who said he was "the tallest, stoutest and strongest man to ever enter the palace." He was believed to be 2.36 m (7 ft 9 in).
Captain Martin Van Buren Bates, also known as the "Kentucky Giant," fought in the American Civil War (Confederate States Army) and his size helped him rise through the ranks. He was 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in).
"Chang Woo Gow" (stage name), toured the world as "Chang the Chinese Giant" in the 19th century. He was rumored to have learned 10 languages and measured over 2.44 m (8 ft) in height.
This Canadian woman measured 2.41 m (7 ft 11 in) and lived a great part of her life as a circus attraction. Bates gave birth to the largest newborn ever recorded, at 10.7 kg (23.9 lbs) and nearly 75 cm (30 in) tall. Sadly, the baby only survived for 11 hours.
Also known as Le Geant Constantin ("Giant Constantin"), he was born in Germany and died in Belgium. Koch was reportedly 2.45 m (8 ft 0.8 in). His skeleton is preserved at the Museum of Natural History in Mons, Belgium.
Machnow was born in a territory that now belongs to Belarus. Billed as "The Russian Giant," he toured Europe and the US, where he even met President Roosevelt. According to photographic evidence, he was around 2.40 m (7 ft 10 in) tall.
This Canadian man did a bit of everything, from performing in a circus show to wrestling and being a strongman. Beaupré was reportedly 2.51 m (8 ft 3 in) in height.
Aasen was an American silent film actor. He was 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) tall, making him one of the tallest actors in film history.
At 2.54 m (8 ft 4 in) tall, this American man was refused induction into the Army during World War I because he was too tall!
Born in Helsinki, Finland, Myllyrinne reached 2.51 m (8 ft 3 in) in height. He traveled Europe as a wrestler, served in the Finnish Army, and retired as a chicken farmer.
At 2.72 m (8 ft 11.1 in), the man also known as the "Alton Giant" and the "Giant of Illinois" is the tallest human ever in history, according to the Guinness World Records.
A sufferer of acromegalic gigantism, this American man measured 2.49 m (8 ft 2 in). Koehler's twin sister was 74 cm (29 in) shorter than him, a difference that set a world record.
The Tel Aviv-born entertainer was also known as "The Jewish Giant," "The Happy Giant," and "The World's Biggest Cowboy." He's listed by the Guinness Book Records as 2.74 m (9 ft) tall.
You probably recognize him as "Jaws" in the James Bond movies 'The Spy Who Loved Me' (1977) and 'Moonraker' (1979). Kiel, who measured 2.18 m (7 ft 2 in) in height, and had a successful career in film and TV.
The Libyan basketball player and actor was 2.45 m (8 ft 0.5 in). He starred in the Italian director Federico Fellini's movie 'Fellini Satyricon' (1969).
Born André René Roussimoff in France, André became a successful wrestler. At 2.24 m (7 ft 4 in) he starred in a number of movies, including 'Conan the Destroyer' (1984) opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The Dutch actor is famous for playing Lurch in the 'Addams Family' movies and for his role in the cult series 'Twin Peaks.' Struycken is 2.13 m (7 ft) tall.
Also known as Xi Shun, this herdsman from Mongolia, is currently one of the world's tallest living men, at 2.36 m (7 ft 8.9 in) in height.
The Soviet former basketball player might have been the tallest ever in the sport at 2.39 m (7 ft 10 in) tall.
This Chinese man is also one of the world's tallest living humans, standing at 2.42 m (7 ft 11 in) tall.
The height of this Ukrainian man has been disputed by various sources. It varies from 2.44 m (8 ft 0.1 in) to 2.56 m (8 ft 5 in) tall.
At 7'4” (224 cm), this 20-year-old French talent is currently considered one of the tallest basketball players in the NBA and is also the tallest athlete competing at the Paris Olympics. Playing for the San Antonio Spurs, this year he received the Rookie of the Year award due to his impressive performance.
Mureșan, also known as "Big Ghiță," is a former professional basketball player from Romania. He's still the tallest player ever to have played in the NBA. Mureșan is 2.31 m (7 ft 7 in) tall.
This Chinese man holds the Guinness World Records for the tallest professional basketball player in the world, at 2.36 m (7 ft 9 in) tall. He retired in 2014.
Standing at 2.46 m (8 ft 1 in) tall, this volleyball player is the tallest paralympian in history and the tallest man in Iran.
This Moroccan man not only is the second-tallest person in the world, at 2.46 m (8 ft 1 in), he also held the Guinness World Record for largest feet!
Sultan Kosen from Turkey is currently the tallest living person, at 2.51 m (8 ft 2.82 in) tall.
The world lost one of the few living people with gigantism in 2021 when Igor Vovkovinskiy, crowned the tallest living man in the US by Guinness World Records in 2010, died at the age of 38. Vovkovinskiy was reportedly 7 feet, 8.33 inches (234.52 cm) tall, and he died in a hospital from heart disease with his family by his side, according to a Facebook post by his mother.
Sources: (Guinness World Records)
See also: Struggles only tall and short people will understand
The stories of the tallest humans in history
Fascinating people famous for their incredible heights
LIFESTYLE Gigantism
Can you imagine living in a world tailored for toddlers? That's probably how people suffering from gigantism feel. Gigantism is a real condition, and although extremely rare, some people do suffer from it and try to live a life in a world where virtually everyone is shorter than them. The condition is caused by an excess of growth hormone (GH) which is sometimes associated with tumor growths on the pituitary gland. People with gigantism usually grow to be 2.1 to 2.7 m (7 to 9 ft) tall.
Sometimes this condition is accompanied by acromegaly later in life (or it can happen on its own), which is a disorder that results from an excess of GH after the growth plates have closed (whereas in gigantism, it's during childhood), which can result in enlarged forehead, jaw, and nose.
In this gallery, we look back at the real-life human "giants" in history and their fascinating stories. Click through!