Woman Sets World Record with Handmade Wig Longer than Seven Olympic Swimming Pools
Apr
Professional wigmaker Helen Williams, hailing from Lagos, Nigeria, has etched her name into the annals of history by crafting a handmade wig measuring a staggering 351.28 meters (1,152 feet, 5 inches) in length.
This remarkable achievement, recognized by Guinness World Records, required Williams to invest over two million naira (nearly $2,500) and dedicate 11 days to its meticulous creation, resulting in a wig longer than seven Olympic swimming pools.
To construct the mammoth wig, Williams ingeniously fashioned an underlay using wig-cap netting and black fabric affixed to a bicycle helmet. The intricate process involved the utilization of 1,000 bundles of hair, along with 12 cans of hair spray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips, as detailed in a statement from Guinness World Records.
Reflecting on her remarkable feat, Williams remarked, “Finding the materials to make the longest wig was not an easy task. My experience as a wigmaker helped a lot.”
With eight years of expertise in wig craftsmanship under her belt, Williams churns out an impressive 50 to 300 wigs per week and has imparted her knowledge to numerous students over the years.
While the endeavor to create the world’s longest handmade wig posed significant challenges, Williams persevered with unwavering determination. She recounted moments of exhaustion during the process but found solace in the encouragement of friends and family. Williams remained steadfast in her pursuit, driven by the desire not to disappoint her supporters. The culmination of her efforts stands as a testament to her dedication, resulting in the creation of the longest handmade wig globally.
Given the monumental size of the wig, Williams faced the logistical challenge of finding a suitable location for its measurement. Ultimately, she succeeded in laying out the impressive creation along the highway between Lagos and the city of Abeokuta, where its length could be accurately measured and officially recognized by Guinness World Records.