Marc Umile has set a new record for memorizing the most digits of pi.

That is pi, the 3.1415926535 figure… except that Umile knew a total of 12,887 digits. Writing out the figure took him 3 hours and 40 minutes. And apparently his somewhat odd hobby didn't even hurt his marriage. (Yes, he's married).

"I was really proud of him that he did it," said his wife, Maryann in the Philadelphia Daily News. "I can't remember a phone number."

24 Jan 2007

How did he memorize it all? By taking it 1,000 at a time. He would record the digits on tape recorder and listen to it during his commute and lunch hours. For 2 and a half years. Wearing out 2 tape records.

Surely a number buff like Umile works a million dollar job as some genius software developer? Wrong again. He handles Medicare bills as a filing clerk.

A tribute to pi