Iowa is Famous for Having the World Record for This Biggest Thing
Every state in America is known for having at least one thing that is bigger than anyone else. In Iowa, it has to do with a man's face and it's true we do own the world record and I can prove it.
I want to be clear that this was not my idea. Blame Zippia. If you're not familiar with them, they are a career/jobs website. Zippia shared a helpful map showing what each state is known for having the biggest thing of. I don't know any other way to explain it.
Instead of just taking their word for it, I went to the source. The Guinness Book of World Records official website. They confirmed this bit of Iowa infamy:
The beard of Hans N. Langseth (Norway, b. 1846) measured 5.33 m (17 ft 6 in) at the time of his burial at Kensett, Iowa in 1927 after 15 years residence in the United States.It was presented to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA, in 1967.
It figures it would be someone of Scandinavian heritage here in Iowa that would be responsible for this beard record. I'm looking at you Swedesburg.
It's worth noting that our neighbors in Nebraska are known for the longest advertising poster. If you live in Nebraska, what else do you have to do other than put up long posters next to the road? That makes so much sense.
Next time I visit my family in Missouri, I'm demanding BBQ. Thanks, Zippia. Check out their site for the complete biggest list.