Adam Rainer

In 1899, Adam Rainer was born in Graz, Austria. When he was 19 years old, Rainer was medically tested and determined to be extremely short for his age. His height was said to be 1.4 meters (4’8″). However, another source says that he was only 1.18 meters (3’10.5″) at the age of 21. At this time, Rainer was thin, weak, and showed signs of dwarfism. Despite his short size, it was noted that he had large feet. In 1920, Rainer started to experience a massive growth spurt. His arms, legs, hands, and feet exploded in size and his health deteriorated. Rainer started to lose his eyesight, and it became hard for him to eat and walk.By 1930, Adam Rainer was two meters (6’9″) tall. It has been suggested that he had a tumor in his pituitary gland, which caused an overproduction of growth hormone. Rainer developed a protruding forehead and jaw and thicker lips, which are all characteristic of acromegaly. In the early 1930s, it is thought that he had surgery to remove the tumor, but the operation didn’t stop the growth. Eventually, Rainer became bedridden and died in 1950 at a height of 2.34 meters (7’8″). The Guinness Book of World Records has listed Adam Rainer as the “most variable stature” in history. The entry says that he was the only person to be both a dwarf and a giant.

source by http://listverse.com/2013/12/10/10-strange-and-mysterious-men/