Sir Hugh Eyre Campbell Beaver (May 4, 1890 – January 16, 1967)

On August 27, 1955, the first edition of “The Guinness Book of Records”
was published in Great Britain; it quickly proves to be a hit. Now known
as the “Guinness World Records” book, the annual publication features
a wide range of feats related to humans and animals.

The inspiration for the record book can be traced to November 1951,
when Sir Hugh (above) managing director of the Guinness Brewery
(founded in Dublin in 1759), was on a hunting trip in Ireland. After
failing to shoot a golden plover, Beaver and the members of his
hunting party debated whether the creature was Europe’s fastest
game bird but were unable to locate a book with the answer. He
decided to have one produced. The book was intended to be
given away  for free in pubs to promote the Guinness brand of
beer, however, it turned out to be so popular the company started
selling it that and it became a best-seller.

The longest pizza in the world at the Expo Milano 2015
in Italy. The pizza contained 3,000 pounds of sauce
and 5,000 pounds of cheese, according to the
Guinness Book of World Records.

SANDY KOZEL

Loretta Lynn, a country music singer-songwriter is 88 years
young today. She received multiple gold albums in a career
spanning 60 years.

MIKE GRACIA

Moby-Dick is now considered a great classic of American literature and
contains one of the most famous opening lines in fiction: “Call me Ishmael.” Initially, though, the book about Captain Ahab and his quest to catch a giant
white whale was a flop.

Its author, Herman Melville was born in New York City in 1819. As a young
man, he spent time in the merchant marines, the U.S. Navy and on a whaling
ship in the South Seas. In 1846, he published his first novel, Typee, a
romantic adventure based on his experiences in Polynesia. The book was
a success and a sequel, Omoo, was published in 1847. Three more novels
followed, with mixed critical and commercial results. 

Herman Melville (Melvill) (August 1, 1819 – September 28, 1891)

From left to right: Sir Hugh Beaver, the first Guinness World Records book, Ross and Norris McWhirter, Norris McWhirte today.

On August 27, 1955, the first edition of “The Guinness Book of Records” is published in Great Britain; it quickly proves to be a hit. Now known as the “Guinness World Records” book, the annual publication features a wide
range of feats related to humans and animals.

The inspiration for the record book can be traced to November 1951, when
Sir Hugh Beaver, managing director of the Guinness Brewery (founded in
Dublin in 1759), was on a hunting trip in Ireland. After failing to shoot a
golden plover, Beaver and the members of his hunting party debated
whether the creature was Europe’s fastest game bird but were unable
to locate a book with the answer.

Thinking that patrons of Britain’s pubs would enjoy a record book which
could be used to settle friendly disagreements, Beaver decided to have
one produced. He hired twin brothers Norris and Ross McWhirter, the
founders of a London-based agency that provided facts and statistics
to newspapers and advertisers.

The fastest game bird is the golden plover (below), in case you were
wondering!