Articles tagged as World Records | Smithsonian Magazine

Skiing for 38 days, 23 hours and 5 minutes Johanna Davidsson beat the previous record by almost 10 hours

January 4, 2017

Cool Finds

Collection of Fossilized Poo Certified as World’s Largest

George Frandsen’s 1,200-piece coprolite collection earns the Florida man a spot in Guinness World Records

November 17, 2016

Cool Finds

Record-Breaking Lightning Strikes Force Redefinition of the Thunderbolt

A 199.5-mile-long streak captured the title for world’s longest and a 7.74-second blast won world’s brightest

September 19, 2016

More than 800,000 volunteers planted saplings in public spaces in the state of Uttar Pradesh hoping to reduce greenhouse gases and reforest the countryside

July 19, 2016

No surprise, the record-holding pie was created in Naples

May 20, 2016

This magnetic levitation bullet train is capable of speeds of 366 miles per hour—and possibly more

April 17, 2015

Cool Finds

The Largest Manmade Block Ever Was Just Discovered in Lebanon

The block was never used, likely because it was too big to transport

December 3, 2014

Cool Finds

How to Fold a World Record-Setting Paper Airplane

The secret lies in the design, but having a football quarterback on hand to throw the plane might help you break records

November 20, 2014

New Research

These Extreme Desert Nomads Set Records for Migrating Birds

Australian banded stilts use mysterious cues to know when to head toward ephemeral lakes in the country’s otherwise dry interior

October 14, 2014

Cool Finds

This 71-Year-Old Just Set a Record With His 1,673th Ascent of Mt. Fuji

The mountaineer says that now he’s ready to tackle Everest

July 21, 2014

At the time of his death on May 9, 2014, Alexander Imich was the world's oldest man.

Keeping Track of the Oldest People in the World

The Gerontology Research Group catalogues on all of the world’s confirmed supercentenarians, or persons over 110 years old

July 8, 2014

No day is a day without running for streakers

Jogging junkies give exercise records a run for their money

June 5, 2014

New Research

Zebras Make the Longest Migratory Journey of Any of Africa’s Land Animals

Zebras travel twice as far as North America’s migratory champion, the mule deer

May 29, 2014

Not the world's fastest mite, but a related species from the same Family.

Cool Finds

This Obscure Species of Mite Is the Fastest Animal on Earth

The mite just defeated the previous record-holder, the Australian tiger beetle

April 30, 2014

Felix Baumgartner's full-pressure suit and helmet were designed to provide protection from extreme temperatures and served as the sky diver's only protection until he reached the lower atmosphere.

Felix Baumgartner’s Spacesuit From His Death-Defying Stratospheric Jump Joins the Smithsonian Collections

The pressurized suit, parachute and the balloon gondola that allowed Baumgartner to break records goes on view at the Air and Space Museum

April 2, 2014

In Hawaii, atmospheric carbon dioxide has crossed above 400 ppm, and it’s expected to stay there for a while

March 19, 2014

Trending Today

2013 Continues 37-Year Warm Streak

Yep, global warming is still a thing. The last time it was cold, globally, was in 1976.

January 22, 2014

Today in History: Jackie Cochran Breaks the Sound Barrier

May 18, 2010