Robert Wadlow

Robert Wadlow (1918–1940) was an American man who reached 8 feet 11 inches (2.72 meters), the greatest height reliably recorded for a human. His exceptional growth resulted from a pituitary disorder.

Alton, Illinois: A city on the Mississippi River in southwestern Illinois. Wadlow was born and raised in Alton, where his height became part of local history.
Assistive device: A tool or device that helps a person perform tasks or move with greater independence. Wadlow used leg braces to support his mobility as his height and weight increased.
Greatest height ever recorded: The record category for the tallest reliably measured human being. Wadlow holds this record at 8 feet 11 inches.
Sideshow: A public entertainment featuring unusual performers, demonstrations, or attractions, often alongside a larger event. Wadlow’s circus appearances placed his body within a tradition of exhibiting physical difference.
Pituitary gigantism: Excessive growth caused by too much growth hormone during childhood, often from a pituitary tumor. Excess growth hormone from Wadlow’s pituitary gland drove his continuing growth.
Osteoarthritis: A joint disease involving cartilage breakdown and changes in the surrounding bone. The strain of supporting his unusually large body contributed to severe leg problems.
World's tallest man: A title commonly given to the tallest living or historically documented man. Wadlow became a public figure through his unprecedented height.
Disability: A condition or impairment that can limit activities through interaction with personal and environmental factors. His mobility challenges show how exceptional stature affected everyday functioning.
Growth hormone: A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that promotes growth and affects metabolism. Its unusually high production underlay Wadlow’s rapid, persistent growth.
Sepsis: A life-threatening response to infection that can cause tissue damage and organ failure. An infected blister from a brace led to the infection that preceded Wadlow’s death.

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Angus MacAskillCompared with: Wadlow was taller, but his height resulted from pituitary gigantism rather than non-pathological growth.