Guinness World Records turns 70

One of the most recognisable books on the planet turns 70 years old.

The Guinness World Records is marking seven decades of settling pub arguments, inspiring record-breakers and captivating readers across generations. 

First published in 1955 as a promotional idea linked to Guinness beer, the book has grown into one of the most recognisable and best-selling titles in the world.

Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday said the idea was born after a debate over the fastest game bird in Europe, a question no reference book could answer at the time. The solution was a single, authoritative collection of record-breaking facts, distributed free to pubs.

"What started as just a promotional campaign for a bit of fun actually became a phenomenon, really because no one had looked at the world quite in the same way, like through the lens of the superlative.

"People organise information in encyclopedias in a very specific way, but often it's not useful. Encyclopedias are packed full of things you don't need to know or never will need to know in a practical sense, and so somehow this book, which was given free to pubs in the UK, just caught everyone's imagination and opened their eyes to the whole new way of thinking, and it became an inspirational guide for people who wanted to be better."

Despite the rise of the internet, Guinness World Records continues to thrive by offering verified, trusted information and a tangible alternative to screen time.

"We've always said that we were like the original internet because it was sharable nuggets of information, or like the other analogy, which I really like, is that we're like a big sort of box of chocolates, and if you get a box of chocolates, you're going to enjoy it, whatever happens. There might be a couple of pieces in there that you don't really care for, but then you just give them to someone else. “

Glenday said its appeal lies in its credibility, curiosity and accessibility, describing the book as something people can dip into, share and enjoy together.

"It cuts across generations because it's such a fundamental aspect of being a human, the idea of record-breaking. No other creature takes notes and tries to better itself in that sense, so it's a very human thing. It's probably one of the most fundamental aspects of being a human being. So, therefore, I think it does touch everyone, and so everyone will find something in there for them, which is great.

"I think there's a value in what we do."

To listen to Glenday in conversation with CapeTalk's Saskia Falken, use the audio player below: