Man Denied Guinness World Record for Eiffel Tower Made of 7,00,000 Matchsticks; Here’s Why

In a heartbreaking turn of events for a 47-year-old Frenchman, his eight-year labour of love in constructing a remarkable Eiffel Tower replica using over 700,000 matchsticks has been thwarted by Guinness World Records (GWR).

Richard Plaud crafted a towering masterpiece standing at 23.6 feet, meticulously pieced together with 706,900 matchsticks and 23kg of glue. However, despite his dedication and attention to detail, his dreams of securing a world record were dashed when GWR officials ruled that his creation didn’t meet the criteria due to the use of non-commercial matchsticks.

Expressing his disappointment, Plaud shared that GWR judges delivered their verdict without physically examining his creation. The crucial factor in disqualifying his attempt was the type of matchsticks used – they needed to be commercially available and unaltered, a condition his matchsticks failed to meet.

Plaud’s frustration was palpable as he recounted the painstaking process of shaving off sulphur from individual matchsticks, only to later switch to sulphur-less matches provided by the manufacturer. While this alteration made construction smoother, it ultimately invalidated his attempt in the eyes of GWR.

Despite the setback, Plaud’s determination and effort remain commendable. He lamented the lack of recognition for his hard work and dedication, emphasizing the mental and emotional toll of the project.

While Plaud’s Eiffel Tower won’t secure a place in the record books, the current record holder, Toufic Daher from Lebanon, stands unchallenged since 2009 with a towering achievement of his own.