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On this day in 1978, Aussie Ken Warby set the water speed world record by reaching an astounding 317 mph in a boat. The precedent still stands 30 years later, and is made even more impressive by the fact that Warby built the record-breaking 6000 horsepower "Spirit of Australia" watercraft in his own backyard.

Inspired by Warby's lasting achievement, we set to work trying to track down some of the other men who hold the title of "World's Fastest." Whether it be on land, under water or in the air, they are united by a desire to push limits and leave their fellow man in the dust.

If you happen to be a bit of speed demon yourself, check out the gallery below to see where the bar stands. Also, let us know if there are any record-holders of the fleetest sort that we've left out.

Worlds Fastest Men

    Anyone who was paying attention to the Beijing Olympics knows that Usain Bolt is the World's Fastest Man on Foot. The Jamaican ran the 100m in 9.69 seconds, erasing his own world mark of 9.72, even though he showboated with steps to go in the race. At top speed, Bolt was clocked at just under 28 mph.

    Anja Niedringhaus, AP

    Brit Andy Green has a mathematics degree from Oxford, but he's most known for the amazing reflexes he exhibits while piloting Harrier jets and stunt planes. He also happens to be the Fastest Man in a Land Craft, having reached 763 mph in his Thrust SSC jet car in 1997.

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    In America, we like to think Michael Phelps is the fastest thing that ever slipped on a Speedo. However, for sheer speed, Australian Eamon Sullivan is actually the Fastest Man in Water. On March 28, 2008, Sullivan broke the 50m world record by clocking a time of 21.28 seconds.

    Matt King, Getty Images

    On July 28, 1976, Major General Eldon W. Joersz grabbed the title of World's Fastest Man in an Aircraft by piloting a SR-71 Blackbird at a ridiculous 2,188 mph. Joersz retired from the Air Force in 1997, but his record still stands.

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    Colonel Joseph Kittinger became the Fastest Falling Man on August 16, 1960, as part of the Project Excelsior parachute jumps. That day, Kittinger climbed to an altitude of 101,516 feet in a balloon and stepped off. The descent lasted nearly 14 minutes, during which time Kittinger reached a top speed of 614 mph.

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    Stockton, California's Chris Carr is the Fastest Man on Motorcycle. Carr set the record on September 5, 2006 at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats by doing a two-pass run that averaged nearly 351 mph before getting up to a top speed of 354 mph.

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    Riding his Varna Diablo III -- a recumbent bicycle fitted with a carbon fiber shell -- Sam Whittingham became the Fastest Self-Propelled Man by recently setting a world record speed of 82.3 mph. In the process, he also won $26,748 given by the organizers of the deciMach Human Powered Speed Challenge.

    Jack Dempsey, AP

    In the"Spirit of Australia" boat he built himself, Ken Warby became the Fastest Man in a Watercraft on October 8, 1978. The 317-mph feat was achieved at Blowering Dam, south of Sydney, and did what Warby's hero and mentor Donald Campbell could not do. Campbell died while trying to set the mark in 1967.

    Keystone / Getty Images

    France's Philippe Goitschel became the Fastest Man on Skis when he reached a speed of 155 mph at the Les Arcs resort in Savoie, France on April 23, 2002. After smashing the record, Goitschel went out on top, announcing his retirement from competitive skiing.

    Armando Trovati, AP

    Being the Fastest Man on Motorcycle Blindfolded may seem like an unbelievably dangerous accomplishment, but a blindfold is actually superfluous for Billy Baxter, who is blind. His handicap did not deter him from getting his 1,200cc Kawasaki Ninja to reach 164.87 mph on August 2, 2003.

    AFP / Getty Images