Michigan Man Claims World's Largest Rubber Band Ball
Guinness World Records certified Claude P. Moore's 11,578-pound rubber band ball as the largest in the world.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Philanthropy
Claude P. Moore's 11,578-pound rubber band ball was certified as the world's largest by Guinness World Records, surpassing Joel Waul's 9,032-pound ball. The ball was weighed on Belle Isle in August 2026, with a Guinness adjudicator present.
Why it matters
The record reflects more than a decade of sustained effort, begun during frequent medical appointments for hemophilia and later expanded after coworkers issued a challenge in 2015. The certification places Detroit's Claude P. Moore at the top of a niche record category.
The 11,578-pound ball exceeds the prior record of 9,032 pounds set by Joel Waul in 2008, a margin of 2,546 pounds. Moore spent more than 10 years assembling it, and the official weighing was witnessed by a Guinness adjudicator.
The players
Claude P. Moore
A Detroit resident who spent more than a decade assembling the 11,578-pound rubber band ball that Guinness World Records certified as the largest in the world.
Guinness World Records
The organization that maintains an official registry of world records and certified Moore's rubber band ball after a witnessed weighing.
Joel Waul
A Florida resident who held the previous record with a 9,032-pound rubber band ball completed in 2008.
The details
Moore began making rubber band balls during frequent doctor appointments for hemophilia, and in 2015 coworkers challenged him to build a massive one. The ball grew too large for his garage and was moved to a storage unit before being rolled out and lifted by crane in August for its official weigh-in on Belle Isle.
Timeline
2008: Joel Waul completes his 9,032-pound rubber band ball.
2015: Coworkers challenge Claude P. Moore to build a massive rubber band ball.
August 2026: The ball is moved by crane and officially weighed on Belle Isle.
November 3, 2026: Guinness World Records certification is reported.
Market Landscape
Moore's ball supersedes Joel Waul's 9,032-pound record from 2008, shifting the benchmark in the niche category of large rubber band balls. The certification places the title with a Detroit resident and reflects how competitive record-setting has become in this unusual pursuit.
Readers interested in record attempts can note that Guinness certification requires an official weighing witnessed by an adjudicator. The certification shows that a sustained personal project can meet formal record standards.
The takeaway
Sustained, unglamorous effort can turn a personal hobby into a formally recognized achievement. Moore's record shows that long-term commitment, begun for personal reasons, can earn an official place in the record books.
Further reading
Explore more local giving stories in Philanthropy coverage from Detroit.
