The last of the OLD WORLD GIANTS.

The man in the picture is Franz Winkelmeier (1860–1887), an Austrian man known as the "Giant of Friedburg-Lengau". He was promoted as one of the tallest men in the world during the late 19th century, with claims of his height reaching up to 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m).

This specific photograph was taken in the late 19th century, likely in Paris or during his public exhibitions in the 1880s.

Notable Facts
Public Life: Winkelmeier began making public appearances as an "anomaly" in 1881. He performed at famous venues like the Folies Bergère in Paris and traveled to London in late 1886. Royal Audience: On June 22, 1887, he was received by Queen Victoria, who gifted him a gold pocket watch.

Health and Legacy: His height was later attributed to acromegaly. Sadly, he passed away from tuberculosis in August 1887 at only 27 years old. A museum dedicated to his life, the Riesenmuseum, is located in his hometown of Lengau.

Robert Wadlow (1918–1940), famously known as the "Alton Giant" or the "Gentle Giant," is the tallest person in recorded history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. At the time of his final measurement in June 1940, he reached a staggering height of 8 ft 11.1 in (2.72 m).

Life and Record-Breaking Growth
Wadlow was born in Alton, Illinois, at a typical weight of 8.5 lbs, but began growing at an extraordinary rate due to hyperplasia of the pituitary gland. This condition caused an overproduction of human growth hormone, and he was still growing at the time of his death.

Childhood Milestones: By age 5, he stood 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) tall. By age 8, he was 6 ft (1.83 m) tall and could carry his father up the stairs of their home.
Education and Ambition: Despite the physical challenges, he graduated from Alton High School in 1936 at 8 ft 4 in and enrolled in Shurtleff College to study law.
Public Life: He gained celebrity status touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus and later became a goodwill ambassador for the International Shoe Company. He was known for his dignified, gentle demeanor and refused to be treated as a "freak show" attraction.

Physical Dimensions
His massive frame necessitated custom-made clothing and equipment.

Hands & Feet: He holds the records for the largest hands ever (12.75 in from wrist to middle finger) and the largest feet ever, wearing a US size 37AA shoe.
Weight: At his peak, he weighed approximately 491 lb (223 kg).
Diet: To sustain his body, he consumed roughly 8,000 calories per day.

Death and Legacy
Wadlow died at age 22 in Manistee, Michigan, due to a septic infection caused by a faulty leg brace that rubbed a blister on his ankle. Because of his size, he had to be treated in a hotel room as no hospital bed could accommodate him.

His funeral was attended by over 40,000 people. To ensure his body was never disturbed, his family buried him in a 1,000-lb (450 kg) steel-reinforced casket inside a concrete vault. Today, his legacy is commemorated by a life-size bronze statue in his hometown of Alton, Illinois.

The individuals in this photograph are the Kashmir Giants posing with American traveler and photographer James Ricalton during the 1903 Delhi Durbar.

The People
The Kashmir Giants: These two brothers were part of the contingent representing the Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir at the Durbar. The taller brother (on the right) reportedly stood at 7 ft 9 in (2.36 m), while the other brother (on the left) was approximately 7 ft 4 in (2.23 m).

James Ricalton: The man in the center was an intrepid American schoolteacher, photographer, and inventor who traveled extensively to document major world events.

Historical Context

The photo was taken in January 1903 in Delhi, India, during the Delhi Durbar—a massive imperial assembly held to celebrate the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra as Emperor and Empress of India. The giants became a major focal point of curiosity for international attendees and photographers.

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The Last of the Old World Giants looks at the hidden relatively recent history of Giants! Over 100 giants researched, named and remembered. Many more remembered only due to photographs that exist and are sometimes hidden by archive vaults. Tartaria and Tartarian giants, Circus and Military Giants, Giants in 18th and 19th century newspapers, Giants remains found and reported by media. Giant Warriors, Giants in Siberia, Giants in Asia, Magog and Gog, Gargantua AND MUCH MORE.. Over 800 pages, tons of photograph