1940's WORLD TALLEST PERSON | ROBERT WADLOW | Alton Giant | Giant of Illinois

Robert Pershing Wadlow, also known as the Alton Giant and the Giant of Illinois, was an American man who was the tallest person in recorded history.
Wadlow's height was 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m) while his weight reached 439 lb (199 kg) at his death at age 22.
His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to hypertrophy of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone.
In 1939, Wadlow passed John Rogan as the tallest person ever.
18 days before his death, he was measured by doctors at 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m).
On July 4, 1940, during a professional appearance at the Manistee National Forest Festival, a faulty brace irritated his ankle, leading to infection.
He was treated with a blood transfusion and surgery, but his condition worsened due to an autoimmune disorder, he died in his sleep on July 15.