World's
Longest Paper Clip Chain
Mega
Chain - World's Longest Paper Clip Chain On
March 26-27, 2004, sixty 9th Grade students at Eisenhower Junior High School in
Taylorsville, Utah, constructed the World's Longest Paper Clip Chain. Named "Mega
Chain," the continuous paper clip chain measured an incredible 22.17 miles
long and used 1,560,377 paper clips. The Mega Chain was 1.73 miles longer than
the previous Guinness World Records
paper clip chain of 20.44 miles set in 2001.
This
new world record was accomplished by sixty ninth-grade students at Eisenhower
Junior High over a period of twenty-four hours. In accordance with Guinness
World Records requirements, sixty "chain gang" students worked nearly
non-stop to construct the 22.17 mile chain, which was wrapped hundreds of times
around twelve tall posts positioned in Eisenhower's gymnasium. These 60 "chain
gang" students were supported by dozens of "special operation"
students who work in eight three-hour shifts to encourage the speed of the "chain
gang" students and ensure the comfort of people coming to see the event.
The idea of the Mega Chain came up in a 9th Grade
Gifted and Talented Geography Class and eventually turned into a large 9th Grade
Class project. The world record attempt-and its success--provided many students
with the opportunity to apply some of their education skills-including those related
to creativity, communication, organization, logistics, mathematics and economics.
Many parents and companies contributed to the event.
ACCO Brands provided Eisenhower students with 2,000,000 paper clips-that had a
retail value of $7,800--and Pepsi Incorporated, Gunderson Architectural Woodwork,
Little Ceasar's Pizza, Papa John's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Printech and Nu Packaging
also made significant donations towards the event.
Faculty,
Staff and Parent Advisors for the Mega Chain were: Nancy Jadallah, Dona Harris,
Alan Parrish (Administrators); Clayton Brough, Tom Sharpe and Denise Fiack (Faculty
Supervisors); Tom Allen, Kelly Huntington, Chris Moore, Larry Wilde and Malamene
Wong (Faculty Support Committee); Don Anderson and Fred Helbling (Staff Support
Committee); Don Mix, Cindy and Mark Moore, Jamie and Kevin Negle, Gary Nebeker,
Brenda Schultz and Kellene Thompason (Parent Support Committee).
Following the successful completion of the world
record event, Mayor Janice Auger of Taylorsville City, Utah, presented an official
commendation and proclamation to the 9th Grade Class of Eisenhower Junior High
School for its efforts and success in constructing the world's longest paper clip
chain.
The continuous structure and length of
the Mega Chain was independently confirmed by three professionals: Gerd S. Dixon,
City Engineer for Taylorsville, Utah; Timothy A. Fiack, Engineer and Maintenance
Manager for Hexcel, Salt Lake City, Utah; and Walter M. Cunningham, a Professional
Land Surveyor and Cartographer, Taylorsville, Utah.
Note:
Guinness World Records requirements
for the Longest PaperClip Chain by a Team are:: "1) The maximum
length of each paper clip allowed is 4 cm / 1.6 in.; 2) The team can be no larger
than 60 persons; 3) The time limit is 24 hours. This is to be a consecutive 24
hour period - not, for example, 8 hours one day, 8 the next and a further 8 on
a third day; 4) 24 hours means a complete 24-hour cycle including rest breaks.
For example, if the event starts at 12 noon on Monday, it must finish at 12 noon
on Tuesday. Participants can take as many breaks as they wish; 5) The length of
the chain should be measured end to end along the line of the chain, which should
be laid as straight as possible for the measuring; 6) The chain must be one single
chain, with each paper clip hooked into ones either end; 7) the name of the persons
or organization making the attempt should be given, along with the date and place." 
We
made it! |
