September 3, 2014
1 min read
Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAmOf Pacifiers and Pearl Harbor: See the Stuff First Memories are Made Of [Interactive]
Explore more than one hundred recollections from early childhood
By Daisy Yuhas
Trying to recall the very first episodes of our lives can be surprisingly tricky. In part this is because our infancy is a period of intense learning, and the growth of new cells to support that process may disrupt our older memories. In addition, our malleable young minds can easily create false memories.
In June, Scientific American MINDasked readers to think back to the very first events that they could remember. As several surveys and studies have discovered, these memories may be dramatic but more often they are simply detailed, nostalgic recollections of perfectly ordinary events. Below we have compiled more than 100 memories submitted by readers so that you can explore their earliest episodes.
On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
If you are experiencing any issues with the interactive update your browser to the latest version.
Credit: Interactive by Jen Lowe
Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism
Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.
When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.
Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber