The XO Directory

At 2.72 Meter or 8 feet 11.1 inches, Robert Wadlow is the world's tallest man in medical history. He was born on February 22, 1918 and died on July 15, 1940 at a young age of 22. He weighed 490 pounds at the time of his death.

The Alton Giant's size, as he was also called, was due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death.

Wadlow's size began to take its toll: he required leg braces to walk, and had little feeling in his legs and feet. On June 27, 1940 (eighteen days before his death), he was measured at 8 feet 11.1 inches (2.72 m) by doctors C. M. Charles and Cyril MacBryde of Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

In his time, Wadlow was among the most popular of American celebrities; he was well-known due to his 1936 U.S. tour with the Ringling Brothers Circus and his 1938 promotional tour with the INTERCO. He continued participating in various tours and public appearances.

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