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Francis A. Johnson

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Oddity

The Resume

    (1904-1989)
    Resident of Darwin, Minnesota
    Retired carpenter
    Over 29 years, created a 13-foot diameter 17,400-pound ball of twine (1950-79)

Why he might be annoying:

    As the ball grew, he had to use a crane to keep it evenly wrapped.
    His twine ball has been overtaken by ones at Cawker City, Kansas and the Ripley museum in Branson.
    As a result, Darwin calls their twine ball the largest made by a single person.
    He also created the 'Largest Handcarved Multiple Pliers,' which is not nearly as catchy.
    Handling chemically-treated twine aggravated his emphysema and may have helped kill him.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He inspired Weird Al Yankovic's song 'The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota.'
    As a result, although no longer the biggest, his is the world's most famous ball of twine.
    Inspired by the song, Darwin has added a Twine Ball Inn and 'Greetings from the Twine Ball, wish you were here' postcards.
    You have to pay to see the ball of twine in Branson; Darwin's is still free.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 71.43% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 12 Votes: 41.67% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 13 Votes: 53.85% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 11 Votes: 81.82% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 27 Votes: 51.85% Annoying