Do Memory Palaces Work? The Mind-Blowing Science of Learning at Scale

Hermann Ebbinghaus's "Über das Gedächtnis" (Memory: A Contribution to Experimental Psychology) is a seminal work in the field of memory research. Published in 1885, it detailed Ebbinghaus's experiments using nonsense syllables to study the processes of learning and forgetting. His findings, including the description of the forgetting curve, demonstrated the importance of repetition and spaced repetition for effective memory retention. The book established the empirical study of memory as a scientific discipline and continues to influence memory techniques and learning strategies today. Ebbinghaus's work laid the groundwork for understanding how memory works and how to improve it.

In 'Moonwalking with Einstein', Joshua Foer delves into the world of competitive memory sports and the science behind human memory. The book follows Foer's transformation from a journalist to a mental athlete as he trains for the USA Memory Championship. It explores historical and cultural aspects of memory, including ancient techniques like the 'method of loci' or 'memory palace', and discusses modern research on memory. Foer also interacts with renowned memory experts and savants, providing a comprehensive look at how anyone can improve their memory through specific techniques and practices.