Randy Gardner

Randy Gardner was an American high school student who set the record for the longest time without sleep in 1964. He stayed awake for 264.4 hours, or 11 days, as part of a science fair experiment. Gardner's feat was documented by scientists who studied his physical and mental changes during the experiment. He experienced hallucinations, memory loss, and disorientation. Gardner's record has yet to be beaten. He has since become a motivational speaker and has written a book about his experience. Gardner was born on November 3, 1944, in San Diego, California. He attended San Diego High School and later attended San Diego State University. Gardner has been open about his struggles with sleep deprivation and has spoken publicly about the importance of getting enough rest. He has also worked with organizations to promote sleep awareness and education.