Family & Parenting

Illinois 12-year-old builds world’s tallest popsicle stick structure

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May 6 (UPI) — A 12-year-old Illinois boy broke a Guinness World Record when he assembled a 20.2-foot tower from popsicle sticks.

Eric Klabel of Naperville said he has been building objects with popsicle sticks and other recycled materials since 2015, and he was inspired to chase the world record after watching a Guinness World Records video highlighting other record holders. Facebook link

Klabel built the 20.2-foot tower in segments measuring about 3 feet each.

“To make the tower I had to build the same 3-feet-long vertical structure many times, which got very repetitive, though it was still very fun to see it getting taller and taller,” Klabel told Guinness.

In his earlier years, he first started his forming shapes with wooden ice cream sticks, after being curious by the development and engineering of his childhood toys.  
But it wasn’t until 2015, Eric started experimenting with the many variations of structures he could create with recycled materials like popsicle sticks. 
One of his most impressive sculptures includes a popsicle chair that was actually usable! Another included a replica of a house that included lights, furniture, and other household items – all made of wooden sticks. 

Eric’s advice to aspiring popsicle builders is to remember that popsicle sticks are just a bunch of wooden sticks, but when you put in the effort, assemble them in the right place, you can have something incredible. 

Klabel’s other popsicle stick creations include a motorized model car, a boat, a marble run and a functioning chair.

“I felt accomplished and grateful when I became a Guinness World Records title holder. I was so happy that I was able to get to this point. My favorite thing about achieving the record was that I was able to be known for something I am passionate about,” he said. Source 1, Source 2

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