June 10, 2025

Question: Between 1896 and 1932, Joseph Connolly, better known as “Head-on Joe,” set a world record for doing what?

Answer: Connolly set a Guinness World Record for staging the most train wrecks ever, 146 over the course of his career, including 73 head-on collisions. The trains were often loaded with dynamite for extra effect at one-off venues and state fairs. You can see a 1932 collision at the Iowa State Fair here.