World Tallest Stack of Pancakes Food Network UK set World Record

In a bid to celebrate Pancake Day in the only way they know how, staff from TV channel Food Network UK have created the world's tallest stack of pancakes World Record. And why not.

The impressive pancake tower took over 13 hours to produce and required a whopping 253 eggs, 11lbs of flour and over 26 pints of milk.

After the hours of hard work they were lest with 725 pancakes which were stacked into a 32 inch high tower to break the current record.

Should you fancy setting pancake-based record yourself when you get home, the highest pancake flip currently stands at 9.17m, the largest pancake measured 15m long and the most pancakes eaten in 1 hour by an individual is 855. Good luck.

Nick Thorogood, of Food Network UK said: "One of the greatest aspects of British Food is its tradition and the celebration of events such as Pancake Day.

"We wanted to celebrate this year’s Pancake Day with something a little different and what better way than to create a stack of pancakes!

"Needless to say the at the Food Network UK headquarters are going to have their fill by the end of the day!"

World Tallest Stack of Pancakes Food Network UK set World Record Video

Tiny cow from Cheshire among new Guinness World Records

A cow whose tiny stature saved her from the abattoir has entered the record books as the world's smallest.

Swallow, a Dexter cow from Cheshire, stands 33.5in (0.8m) tall from hind to foot - shorter than most sheep.

The 11-year-old, who is currently pregnant, has produced nine calves and is described by owner Caroline Ryder as the "nanny of the herd".

Swallow secured a slot with the tallest dog, longest snake and oldest gorilla in the 2011 Guinness World Records.

The tiny cow was born in Newbury, Berkshire in 1999 and bought by the Ryder family at a rare breed auction in 2006.

Brought up in Rishton, West Yorkshire, her small size means she is used for breeding, explained Mrs Ryder, who recently moved to Crossley Hall Farm, near Congleton.

For a small cow with short legs she can't half move fast”

"She was quite small when she was born and she has grown proportionately," she told the BBC.

"She is really sweet - an asset to the herd. For a small cow with short legs she can't half move fast."

The family approached Guinness after noticing a posting on a Dexter cattle forum from someone looking for the smallest cow.

After putting her name forward last year, Guinness confirmed the record a few months ago.

Mrs Ryder's husband, Martyn, said: "I think she is just a genetic anomaly."

Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records editor-in-chief, said the tiny cow was one of his personal favourites among the 3,000 new records.

"It's been a fantastic year for record breaking," he said.

"The animal records are always among the most popular we have in the book."

The updated edition of the book, published on Thursday, also records a host of new British record breakers.

Stephen Parkes, 44, from Nottingham, gains an entry for owning the largest collection of Smurf memorabilia - a total of 1,061 items.

West Midlands resident Stephen Buttler broke the record for the most push-ups with claps in one minute. He completed 73 - or 1.2 push-ups each second.

And the record for the Largest Commercially Available English Breakfast went to Mario's Cafe Bar in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

For £10.95 customers can tuck into six rashers of bacon, six sausages, four eggs, six slices of bread, five black puddings, mushrooms, a can of beans and tomatoes.

But if they manage the meal in under 20 minutes - it is free.
Source - BBC News

World’s Largest Pen Record set by Biswaroop India

New Delhi Making and breaking records come naturally to Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury. At 35, he has already been setting world records for past 10 years.

“I like to do something creative each day and test myself,” he says. With two Guinness world records to his name, one in 2006 for memorising 14 names with birth dates in less than two minutes and the other in 2007 for performing 198 push-ups in a minute, Chowdhury will soon feature in a Guinness World Record publication with a third record under his belt.

He has created the world’s largest pen that weighs 10 kg and is 12 feet long. On Sunday, he displayed this pen before the media and onlookers and even scribbled with it. “Earlier, this record was held by Olaf Fuguer from Sachsen, Germany who made a 10 feet x 11 inch pen weighing 8 kg in 2005. When I saw this record while leafing through the 2009 edition of the Guinness World Records, I was impressed and determined to break it,” he says. Chowdhury then applied to Guinness to confirm whether anyone had successfully attempted to break the record set in 2005.

After receiving the green signal from Guinness, Chowdhury began working on the pen. The ballpoint pen is made up of a combination of 60 per cent steel and rest plastic to give it stability. The inner layer has been coated with plastic while the outer layer is made of steel. With his crew of 25 people working round-the-clock, Chowdhury used his expertise as a production engineer to get over minor hassles.

“We encountered difficulty in filling the pen with ink because each time we tried, the ink would spill over. So I had to make slight adjustments in design,” he explains, mentioning that one of the conditions for the record is that it should work.

Initially, the pen weighed 50 kg and this was causing a problem. Each time he attempted to write, the ball pen punched through paper. After a few tweaks, the weight was lowered to 10 kg and in a span of five months, the pen was complete.

Chowdhury again reconfirmed with Guinness whether the record set in 2005 still stood. “When they told me nobody else had attempted to break the record, I was elated. This was going to be my third Guinness record,” he says.

Chowdhury has also made a special 2X2 ft iron stand and a rexin cover for the pen. “I wanted to give it the look of an ordinary pen with a stand and pen cover.”

Before one enters the Guinness World Records, there is a procedure one must follow. Each candidate has to bring out a public notice about the record and then display the record attempt before journalists and government officials. The video and print coverage has to be sent to Guinness and after verification Guinness enters the candidate’s name in the books.

“I have the official certificate from Guinness allowing me to display my record. Now I will send the video footage to them. And by 2010 they will add my name to their record book,” he says, already thinking of his next record attempt.

Solar Cell Sets World Efficiency Record At 40.8 Percent

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have set a world record in solar cell efficiency with a photovoltaic device that converts 40.8 percent of the light that hits it into electricity. This is the highest confirmed efficiency of any photovoltaic device to date.

The inverted metamorphic triple-junction solar cell was designed, fabricated and independently measured at NREL. The 40.8 percent efficiency was measured under concentrated light of 326 suns. One sun is about the amount of light that typically hits Earth on a sunny day. The new cell is a natural candidate for the space satellite market and for terrestrial concentrated photovoltaic arrays, which use lenses or mirrors to focus sunlight onto the solar cells.

The new solar cell differs significantly from the previous record holder – also based on a NREL design. Instead of using a germanium wafer as the bottom junction of the device, the new design uses compositions of gallium indium phosphide and gallium indium arsenide to split the solar spectrum into three equal parts that are absorbed by each of the cell's three junctions for higher potential efficiencies. This is accomplished by growing the solar cell on a gallium arsenide wafer, flipping it over, then removing the wafer.

The resulting device is extremely thin and light and represents a new class of solar cells with advantages in performance, design, operation and cost.

NREL's Mark Wanlass invented the original inverted cell, which recently won a R&D 100 award. His design was modified by a team led by John Geisz that further optimized the junction energies by making the middle junction metamorphic as well as the bottom junction. Metamorphic junctions are lattice mismatched – their atoms don't line up. The material properties of the mismatched semiconductors allows for greater potential conversion of sunlight.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle.

Latest Solar Guinness World Records 2008

Guinness Book of World Records 2009 Launches

Guinness World Records Book Launches 2009 edition the global Best Seller Returns with Remarkable New Records, All Exclusive Photography and a 3D Perspective!

On 17th September 2008, Guinness World Records releases the 2009 edition of the internationally revered bestseller in the first-ever worldwide launch.

54 years and counting, the globally acclaimed book surpassed Jamie Oliver and Russell Brand during nine consecutive weeks at # 1 on the UK best-seller list in 2007. This year, Guinness World Records 2009 hits the scene even bigger and better than its predecessor with thousands of new and updated records, unique photography and - for the first time ever - 3D special features. In an eclectic mix of content, the upcoming edition remains loyal to old favourites Tallest Living Man, epic journeys such as Fastest Round the World Cycle and record-breaking athleticism The Men’s 100 m, while introducing eye-catching new features such as life-size gatefolds of the new Shortest Man, 3D dinosaurs and pictures, and record sections devoted solely to Harry Potter and celebrities in the “Hollywood Hall of Fame”.

Among pages of brand new achievements, Guinness World Records presents updates on many of its classic records. The 2009 edition reveals Edna Parker (US) as the Oldest Living Person (114 years and 115 days); 105-year old Edith Gulliford (UK) as the Oldest Bridesmaid; and for canine lovers, the Longest Dog, Irish Wolfhound Mon Ami von der Oelmühle, with an impressive nose-to-tail-tip length of 232 cm (91.3 in).

In the cinematic arena, a number of high calibre stars achieved amazing feats. Samuel LJackson set the record for the Highest Grossing Actor with a whopping 68 movies at a totalgross of $7.42 billion (£3.94 billion). Fans of Tim Burton and Johnny Depp (both USA) cancelebrate that the actor/director union between the two became the Most Lucrative Movie Partnership ever formed, as their five blockbuster films netted an amazing £287m ($570.6million). Angelina Jolie seizes last year’s shared record from Jennifer Aniston and goessolo as Most Powerful Actress.

Meanwhile, Jolie’s husband (and Aniston’s ex) Brad Pitttopples Tom Cruise as Most Powerful Actor, clearly crowning “Brangelina” Hollywood’s mostpowerful couple. Other record-breakers include the 21 Bond movies and Transformers (USA, 2007) which mark the Highest Grossing Movie Series and Most Downloaded Movie respectively.

From the world of television, the new edition recognizes Lost (ABC) as the Most Downloaded Show of all time, however, in a bizarre record twist it loses its title for Most Popular TV Show to hospital drama House (Fox), starring Hugh Laurie (UK) as theunconventional maverick Dr Gregory.

In the world of music, fallen pop princess Britney Spears once again creates headlines asshe beats party pal Paris Hilton as the Most Searched Person on the Internet. The UK canalso pride itself on an impressive line-up of British music record-breakers in the upcoming book.

The Sugababes’ single ‘About You Now’ became the First Track by a British Pop Actto Top the Singles Chart solely on the strength of download sales and broke long standing record Biggest Chart Mover to the No.1 Position in the UK jumping from No. 35 to top spotbeating previous record Captian Sensible’s ‘Happy Talk’ from 1982. X Factor winner Leona Lewis seized the spot for Best Selling Debut Album in the UK in One Week by a Female with her debut album Spirit, also creating another new record for Fastest Selling Album to Reach 1 Million Copies in the UK by a Female Artist.

Singer and tabloid favourite Amy Winehouse made it into Guinness World Records 2009 through her achievement for the Most Grammy Awards Won by a British female Act as she took home five of the six awardsthat she was nominated for at the annual LA Grammy Awards show in 2008. However, it’snot just the rising stars of the UK who receive accolades in this year’s edition; Led Zeppelinbroke the world record for the Highest Demand for Tickets for One Music Concert when 20million requests came through the 02 Arena for the one-time reunion show in December2007.

Sir Paul McCartney became the Most Successful Songwriter who has written/cowritten 188 charted records, of which 91 reached the Top 10 and 33 made it to No.1 totalling 1,662 weeks on the chart (up to the beginning of 2008)

Those who count on Guinness World Records to deliver the wacky, weird and bizarre willnot be disappointed! This year’s edition includes the world record for the Youngest Club DJ(7 years and 98 days) the Most Breast Milk Donated by 1 Person (135.5 litres), the Largest Underwater Press Conference (61 journalists) and the Most Dangerous Cheeseto human health, Casu Marzu (''rotten cheese'').

The 2009 Edition also presents a special feature devoted solely to the international phenomenon known as Guinness World Records Day. This day celebrates theanniversary of Guinness World Records officially becoming the biggest best selling copyright book of all time. Last year more than 100,000 people united across the globe to break records and make their mark in Guinness World Records history. This section of the book highlights all of the new achievements recorded on this day in 2007 and providesinformation on how to get involved with Guinness World Records Day 2008 on 13th November.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is one of the highest selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness WorldRecords also annually publishes the Gamer’s Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements.

The Guinness World Records website (http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada’s largest privately owned companies whichis a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotiveretailing. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PICTURES PLEASE CONTACT: Karolina Thelin or Amarilis Espinoza via email: press@guinnessworldrecords.com Phone: + 44 (0) 207 891 4584/+ 44 (0) 207 891 4516

King of Magic David Blaine upcoming world record Stunt

A King of Magic David Blaine will attempt to stay awake for longer than anyone has before in his latest record-breaking stunt, it was claimed today.

The illusionist is expected to appear in New York’s Central Park next May.

And he said he is already training for something - despite refusing to confirm what the new performance would be.

Celebrity columnist Cindy Adams reported: “He’ll break the world record for staying awake. “Understand, David neither confirmed nor denied his coming feat. But, trust me. I mean, trust me. I mean, who do you believe? David Blaine Himself - or me!”

Cornwall’s Tony Wright claims the current world record for sleep deprivation - after staying awake for more than 11 days, or 266 hours.

His attempt does not feature in Guinness World Records because it has stopped acknowledging such attempts for health reasons.

Blaine - who refused to explicitly confirm the sleep stunt was taking place - told the New York Post he was already training. He said: “I’m dropping 30 pounds.

“I do two hours every day on the treadmill. I’m on a raw diet that includes brown rice. No red meat. No animal products besides cooked fish.

“If I do this thing, which you claim I’m doing, I’ll do it on my feet. Standing up. It’s been tried before. In 1959, Peter Tripp stayed awake eight days, but it resulted in permanent brain damage. In 1964, 17-year-old Randy Gardner did it for a high school science project.

He lasted 111/2 days but recovered fully. No damage. A guy in London tried but fell short. Another did 19 hours but slept two hours each night, so that doesn’t count. Also he was seated in a rocking chair.”

He added: “After 36 hours of sleep deprivation it’s like being drunk, 72 hours and paranoia sets in, Day Four the mind goes into hallucinations and you’re dreaming while awake. The problem is there’s no way to know how to offset brain damage or to train for this because there isn’t sufficient research. I believe the first guy’s mistake was not being in great physical condition. Also he used stimulants to keep awake, which I assume did him in.”

He continued: “Basically I’m a human guinea pig pushing the borders of human endurance, so I’ve spent the last year and a half figuring out this next step. Preparing for it. Prepare, study, train, learn and you face the fear. When I know something’s coming I’m not afraid.

If right now a giant spider suddenly landed on me, I’d be terrified. But if I knew one’s about to land on me, I’d prepare for it. “The way to train against fear is to prep against it.”
A spokesman for Blaine was unavailable for comment.

New York-born Blaine, 34, has previously spent more than a month suspended in a transparent plastic box above the river Thames in London, and frozen in a case of ice in New York’s Times Square, among other stunts.

Big Soup World Record - guinness world record 2007

Venezuelan officials claimed a world record Saturday for making the largest pot of soup, a giant cauldron of stew prepared by President Hugo Chavez's government.

The hulking stainless steel cooking pot, set up outdoors in downtown Caracas, contained about 3,960 gallons of "sancocho" stew, Food Minister Rafael Oropeza said. That would dwarf the current record-holder listed on the Guinness World Records Web site, a pot of 1,413 gallons of spicy soup prepared in Durango, Mexico, in July.


Oropeza called it "Bolivarian stew" -- a play on the name of Chavez's socialist movement, named in honor of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar. He said it was enough to feed 60,000 to 70,000 people.

Government workers stand on a platform as they stir a soup in Caracas, Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. Venezuelan officials claimed a world record Saturday for the world's largest pot of soup, a giant cauldron of stew prepared by President Hugo Chavez's government. (AP Photo/Howard Yanes)

Workers stood on raised platforms stirring the soup with poles, and then dished out servings to a crowd at a state-run market.

It contained 6,600 pounds of chicken, 4,400 pounds of beef and tons of vegetables.
Addressing reporters next to the pot, Oropeza said the government is solving supply problems that have made it difficult for Venezuelans to find staples like milk and eggs in recent months. He said the state-run market had ample reserves of all products.

With price controls in place, rising demand has outstripped domestic production of some foods, prompting an increase in imports. Oropeza said the only product that remains in short supply is milk, a situation he blamed on a "world problem" of unusual cold snaps and dry spells hurting milk production.

As for the soup, he introduced a representative of Guinness World Records who he said was on hand to certify the record.

The 5,413-gallon pot was about three-quarters full. "We didn't add more for security reasons," Oropeza said. "There's plenty for second helpings."