- The tallest man in the recorded history of the world, last measured at 8'11.1" (2.72 m) shortly before his death, at which time was still rapidly growing. He was 1.6x the height of an average contemporary human at 5'6" (1.67 m), or taller by 3.5 ft (1.05 m).
- He weighed a normal 8 lbs 6 oz (3855 g) at birth.
- His peak measured weight of 491 lbs (223 kg) on his 21st birthday, he was 439 lbs (199 kg) as measured shortly before his death; his hands measured 12 3/4" (32 cm) long, he wore a size 25 ring, his feet were 18 1/2" (47 cm) (shoe size 37AA) long, and his arm span was 9'5 1/2" (2.88 m).
- Was still steadily growing at the time of his death.
- As a pupil he was tested as having a significantly above average IQ of 134. This place his intelligence at the 99th percentile and more than 2 standard deviations above the mean. After graduating high school he enrolled at Shurtleff College intending to study law, but dropped out due to complications stemming from his great size.
- The world's tallest boy scout at 7' 4" (2.24 m) and 270 lbs (122 kg) when he was 13 years old. He still retains this record.
- Some reports are that he had a daily calorie intake of 6,000-8,000.
- At the age of 9 (height 6' 2 1/2" [1.89 m], weight 180 lbs [82 kg]) he was strong enough to carry his 5'11" (1.80 m) 170 lb (77 kg) father up the stairs to the second floor. He grew taller than his mother, aged 5, and was taller than his kindergarten teacher.
- The son of Harold Franklin Wadlow (1892 - 1969) and Addie May (née Johnson) Wadlow (1897 - 1980); the eldest brother of Eugene Harold Wadlow (1922 - 1959), Betty Jean (née Wadlow) Brda (1924 - 1980), Helen Wadlow, and Harold Franklin Wadlow Jr. (1932 - 2000).
- After graduating high school, Robert went on tour with the Ringling Brothers Circus, and later crisscrossed the country to promote the International Shoe Company, which graciously provided Robert's size 37AA footwear.
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