Frederick William I, the King of Prussia during the early 18th century, was obsessed with acquiring and breeding tall men (at that time anyone over 6 feet tall).  Some volunteered but many were sold, abducted or bred into the regiment (with the help of very tall women, of course).  The men, who came to be known as the Potsdam Giants (also the Long Guys), were well paid and well fed but, ironically, were just intimidating ornaments for the castle and rarely saw battle. 

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