Clifford Thompson, the world's tallest man and Count Olaf, the Norwegian Viking Giant claimed to be 8 foot, 7 inches tall. He performed with several circuses and sideshows but also secured a law degree in 1944 from Marquette.
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| It may seem like there
are five midgets in the picture above, but the real fact of the case is
that Clifford M. Thompson, 43, the man third from the left, is eight feet,
seven inches tall -- enough to make any 6-footer look small. He was
enroute to California from his home at Waupaca, Wis., and stopped here
over the weekend to have his car repaired. More of the somewhat startling
dimensions of Thompson include the fact that he weighs 360 pounds, wears
a size 16½ shoe, a 19½ shirt, requires a 48-inch trouser
length. He is the son of normally-sized parents - his mother is five
feet nine inches tall and his father is five feet, 10 inches. Thompson
does not attribute his size to any glandular condition. "I am a descendant
of the Norwegian Vikings among whom there were many tall men," he explained.
A half dollar could be slipped through a ring worn by Thompson. Left
to right in the picture above are Earl Holdredge, D. [Duane] Smith,
Mr. Thompson, Tom Frazier, Wayne Osborn, and George Lancaster.
Ames Daily Tribune,
April 27, 1948
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The quarter shows demonstrates the size of a Clifford Thompson souvenir ring.
Police officer Arlie Schumer is pictured with Clifford Thompson.