Do you like tests? If you’re like most kids, the answer is probably a resounding “No!” Tests can be a lot of work, especially in subjects like history that have a ton of facts to remember.
Sometimes you might wish you had a better memory. Have you ever gotten down to the last couple of questions on a test, but you just can’t seem to remember the answer? At these times, you probably wish you could see the pages of your textbook like a photograph in your memory.
Do you know someone who has a really good memory? Some people are gifted in special ways when it comes to exceptional memory. Some people even claim to have a photographic memory. This means they can recall things they’ve seen or read with almost-perfect precision, even down to the smallest of details.
Photographic memory is the common name for eidetic memory. The word “eidetic” comes from the Greek word that means “seen.” Eidetic memory is actually broader than photographic memory.
Photographic memory often refers to precise recall of mainly visual images. Eidetic memory, on the other hand, refers to precise recall that can involve details gained from the other senses, such as hearing, feeling, taste and smell.
One example of eidetic memory is the ability to study an image for about 30 seconds and keep an almost-perfect photographic memory of that image in the mind after it’s removed. People who can do this — sometimes called eidetickers — claim that they can “see” the image in their minds as if it was still right before their eyes.
True eidetic memory is very rare. Some scientists have observed that individuals with autism or autism spectrum disorders, such as Asperger syndrome, may occasionally exhibit exceptional memory that resembles eidetic or photographic memory.
For the most part, though, extraordinary memory events are just that — extraordinary, but not necessarily up to the level of eidetic or photographic memory. In fact, most claims of true eidetic or photographic memory are merely word-of-mouth reports that haven’t been proven scientifically.
Many people have developed extraordinary memories over time by using a variety of skills and learning techniques. For example, a Japanese engineer — Akira Haraguchi — has memorized the mathematical constant pi to its first 100,000 decimal places. But does he have a photographic memory? Nope! He’s just good with numbers!
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Hi wonderopolis. I liked today’s wonder maybe on a day you can do a wonder on sports. Or how things work!
Thanks for sharing your comment, Nathan! We’re glad today’s Wonder made you smile! We’ve got a bunch of sport Wonders for you to enjoy:
http://wonderopolis.org/category/sports/! Check it out!
When I looked I thought this would a great story. I’m in Mrs. Hess’ class I cannot wait to watch the video in 30 minutes. By the way you Wonderopolis friends make the world better.
Thanks for WONDERing with us today, Isaiah! We hope you enjoy the Wonder video today, and we are glad you and your Wonder Friends in Mrs. Hess’ class joined us today! WOHOO!
I didn’t know an insect could lift that much. To me that video was pretty interesting but I think it made a few people jealous because a little insect could carry that much. I sure was and it was driving me crazy. I can’t wait to see this new video at school in like 30 minutes. I don`t know how it’s so close.
We’re glad you learned something new with us, Jake! We don’t think you have to worry about the strength of ants, though… we are heavier as human beings because we have more muscle mass! Thanks for sharing your comment!
We read a book about Cam Janson and her photographic memory.
We think tomorrow’s wonder will be about Jesus.
How cool, we’re so glad you are read a book that connected to today’s Wonder, Ms. Bayko’s Class! Thanks for guessing what tomorrow’s Wonder will be, too!
We wondered why the cars were moving fast, but most of the people were moving slowly. We weren’t aware there was an eleventh memory. We didn’t know there were ten types of memories before.
We are looking into learning more about eidetic memory.
Predictions: perfect stuff (seasons, cars), people who claim to be perfect, perfect weather, perfection, perfectionists, animals that can do a lot, no one is perfect, perfect attendance, baking (perfect cakes), people changing, perfect hearts, perfect life, perfect topic…
Hi there, Mrs. Hess! We are glad you and your class learned something new about memory today! The video is showing how a regular person with special memory can see things that are happening very quickly, but still remember is as if it were in slow motion!
Keep up the great WONDERing– we can’t wait to find out if one of your guesses will match tomorrow’s Wonder! HOORAY!
I knew about the term one photo = one thousand words but I do not know how you get a photographic memory. Is it scientific or just natural? I think that tomorrow’s wonder of the day will be about the U.S. Navy or about no one being perfect.
Hey there, JC, thanks for visiting us today! It would be cool if you could learn how to get a photographic memory, but it’s a skill you are born with (and it’s quite rare!). Thanks for sharing your awesome guesses for tomorrow’s Wonder!
Dear Wonderopolis,
Thanks for the photos, we didn’t know that some people have the amazing ability to remember things just like they are. Some of us believe we have a photographic memory from time to time.
We think tomorrow’s wonder will be about a model.
Thank you for the wonders,
Mrs. Tillman’s 4th graders
Hey there, Wonder Friends in Mrs. Tillman’s 4th grade class! We were amazed by today’s Wonder, too! We bet a photographic memory comes in handy from time to time, you lucky ducks!
Thanks for WONDERing with us today!
We have someone in our class that has a wonderful hearing memory: Henry!!!
That’s great to know, Wonder Friends in Mrs. Mann’s Class! Nice work, Henry! We hope to see all of you soon!
Being able to take pictures with you’re memory would be useful.
We sure do agree, Jusin! We’re glad you have been WONDERing with us today!
My 3rd grade class LOVED this film. It is so mysterious, and the music is “eerie”, “haunting”, and “beautiful”. We plan on watching it again to try and figure it out! Several members of the class wished they could get the music to play this on the piano. This reminded us of the Wonderopolis film about the haunted house.
What great words to describe today’s Wonder! Way to go, Wonder Friends in Mrs. Schlette’s class! HOORAY! Thanks for joining us today, and making connections to other Wonders, too! HOORAY!
We thought today’s Wonder was memorable.
It reminded Kaitlyn of 39 clues becuase there is a character that has a photographic memory.
We jumped over to Wonder #233 about Morse code because one of our etymology lessons this week uses tele- and we were curious about telegraphs and telegrams since they show up so often in literature. Thanks for being ready with an answer for us Wonderopolis!!
We think tomorrow’s wonder will be about Mrs. Ski.
hahaha
Seriously, though, we think tomorrow’s wonder will be about Miss Piggy and Kermit, Mary Poppins… actually we are stumped by this one and anxious to get to school tomorrow and learn all about it.
We like your style, Wonder Friends in Mrs. Ski’s Class! What a great pun and connection to our Wonder today! How awesome that you found another Wonder that connects to your lessons this week– YIPPEE for curiosity!
We Wonder if you can write a Wonder of your own about the AMAZING Mrs. Ski?! We think it would be really WONDERful!
We’re all in for a treat tomorrow… keep up the WONDERing in the meantime!
Can you please do one on Michael Jordan?
Thanks for sharing your Wonder idea, Alison! Michael Jordan was an amazing athlete; we’ve got a basketball-related Wonder for you to enjoy in the meantime: Wonder #116– Who Invented Basketball? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/who-invented-basketball/
This is cool, I want to make my own!
We’re glad you have been WONDERing with us today, Wonder Friend! Wasn’t the video awesome?!
Very interesting. I wish I could have photographic
But, I do pay attention in school, so I’m not too bad. O_o
memory, it would help a lot on tests.
We’re glad you try your best in school, Hazelnut, that’s what really matters! Having a photographic memory would be great, but we like using our imaginations more!
I am glad that you made wonderopolis because it makes LA fun when we go on wonderopolis thank you.
We’re glad that Wonderopolis makes you smile, Jenna! HOORAY for great Wonder Friends like you!
It was very interesting. I was always thinking what it was like to have it.
What a great way to use your imagination, Gabriel! We Wonder what you’d like to remember if you had a photographic memory?!
Why did the music have to sound so sad in the photographic memory one? In one of the scenes people to left are not even moving. ; )
Great question, Andrea! We don’t like to be sad, but we are glad that today’s Wonder video evoked emotion– that’s the beauty of music! Sometimes it can make you feel different things.
I love these little facts of life that you give me
. Thanks I think I have a photographic memory, thanks for the information. Could you do one about sharks in the sea?
Thank you so very much, Will! We’re glad you enjoy WONDERing with us! Thanks for sharing your very own Wonder, too! Wonder #398– How Many Sharks Are in the Ocean– is right up your alley! http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-many-sharks-are-in-the-ocean/
I think the article for today was very interesting I loved the video I just read and watched do you have a photographic memory?
We’re thrilled to know that you enjoyed today’s unforgettable Wonder, Kalen! We WISH we had a photographic memory, but unfortunately, we do not! We’ll have to use our imaginations to pretend we do!
Hey I thought the wonder of the day was pretty awesome I liked the video some people in my class almost cried about the music I am in the ace class which is a class where we go to do extra curriculum it is so much fun! But I have a question….. can you do a wonder on wolves?
We’re glad to hear that you and your Wonder classmates are here today, Ilana! Today’s Wonder video was very moving indeed! Thanks for stopping by… here’s a wolf Wonder in the meantime: Wonder #757– What Can Happen During a Full Moon? http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-can-happen-during-a-full-moon/
I think this website is amazing and it’s the website you can count on when your ready to take a step forward and make a difference.
That’s music to our ears, thanks for sharing your awesome comment, Isaac! We’re so glad you’re here!
Dear Wonderopolis,
We enjoyed learning about photographic memories. We wish we all had photographic memories, because we would all be A+ students if we did.
We think tomorrow’s wonder will be about Hawaii, Florida, or even life.
Thank you for the wonders,
Mrs. Witkowski’s 4th graders
We think it would be nice to have a photographic memory, too! However, we know our Wonder Friends in Mrs. Witkowski’s 4th grade class are great at using their very own imaginations, too! We can’t wait to find out what tomorrow’s Wonder will be… see you soon!
Cool that was awesome.
We’re so glad to hear it, car-car! Thanks for sharing your comment! What was your favorite part of today’s Wonder?
We thought the information was interesting. It reminded us of the book character – Cam Jansen. She has a photographic memory and uses it to solve mysteries. But…we really didn’t like the video. It was hard for us to understand. :0(
We hopped over and then did the video about Hippos. We liked that one much better. And learned a lot!
We aren’t sure what tomorrow will be about, so we will just be surprised.
Thank you for making Wonderopolis. It makes our day!!!!
Thank you so much for WONDERing with us today, Miss Holden’s 2nd Grade Class! We are glad that you were reminded of Cam Jansen, she sounds very cool!
It’s super that you hopped over to our hippo Wonder, too! HOORAY for learning with great Wonder Friends!
Wow that was a good one I am so happy that this web site is here it gives me something to think about at school every day it’s amazing. P.S. Keep up the great work. :0
Thank you for WONDERing with us, Merle! We LOVE WONDERing with you, especially at school! Learning new things with a great friend like you makes us smile!
We think tomorrow’s Wonder will be about Reese’s because they say it’s the perfect combination of peanut butter and chocolate. We hope Mrs. Ski at least thinks to bring in some Reese’s cups for us.
Maybe it will be about perfect pitch? We hope it’s as memorable as today’s.
YUM, your making us hungry, Mrs. Ski’s PM Class! We hope you have a treat tomorrow! We’ll see you then, for tomorrow’s Wonder. You can fill us in then!
Thanks for the wonder! We’re going to work on some memory building skills! We think tomorrow’s wonder will be about the number 10, or perfect ‘pitch’.
Alright, keep up the good work, Gwen and Angus! We think you’re right on track with tomorrow’s Wonder, too!
Hello,
Some of us think we might have a photographic memory. We think that what you said is true but we had a couple of questions. We were wondering if Mr. Haraguchi was still alive? Does anyone at Wonderopolis have a photographic memory?
Please write back.
Hi there, Wonder Friends in Ms. Fulenwider’s Class! We wish we had a photographic memory sometimes, but we’ll just keep our memory sharp in other ways– like WONDERing!
Mr. Haraguchi is still alive and well– he’s a former engineer who now works with different companies as a consultant! WOW! Thanks for sharing your comment today! 
No, not really my mom does.
. I wish I did but it’s okay it could be worse. :]
We love your enthusiasm, Marley! Thanks for sharing your comment about our memory Wonder! While it would be great to remember everything, we agree with you– it could be worse!
Hi I am Edgar I really learn a lot from the wonders they are very intresting and I will read them every day.
Hi there, Edgar! We’re so glad you’re here! Thanks for letting us know how much you enjoy WONDERing with us– we look forward to seeing you soon!
Hi, I’m in Mrs.Hess class. I think some people move slowly because outside take this video, I guess!
I think tomorrow’s wonder is about perfect behavior. I CAN’T WAIT!
Hi there, Wonder Friend Kathy! We are so glad you’ve been thinking about our photographic Wonder with us; we wish we had a photographic memory from time to time!
Thanks for sharing your guess for tomorrow’s Wonder… we think you’re on the right track!
I really like the wonder I also wished I had that kind of memory! I can remember every part of my life !!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!
So do we, Manuel! Having a photographic memory would seem like a super power!
Thanks for WONDERing with us today, Wonder Friend! 
Hey so it’s true I do HATE tests!!!! And I hate when I come down to the last question and I don’t know the answer. In fact I have a social studies test tomorrow and that’s probably going to happen to me.
My friends Kate and Colbie have a really good memory if I ask them a question they will remember it from 3 WEEKS AGO!!!!!!!
I do have a photoghraphic memory from when I was out in Vail, Colorado at winter break!!
Today’s wonder was really cool!!!!
Hi there, Wonder Friend Cate! We hope you do GREAT on your social studies test today! It sounds like your friends, Kate and Colbie, have great memory skills, too! Your trip to Vail sounds WONDERful, Cate! Thanks for sharing your awesome comment!
I’m very impressed with Mr. Haraguchi’s ability to remember all of those numbers without having a photographic or eidetic memory! Just thinking about it makes my head hurt!!
My guess is that tomorrow’s Wonder will be about behaving well!
It’s crazy to imagine memorizing all those numbers, Gavin! Phew! We are excited to find out what the next Wonder will be; thanks for visiting us, Wonder Friend!
Today I loved Wonderopolis was awesome I hope tomorrow’s wonder will be about animals.
Please write back.
We’re so glad to hear it, Gina! Thank you! We’re glad you’re here to Wonder with us! Here’s our animal Wonder category for you to enjoy: http://wonderopolis.org/category/animals/
I hope you have a great day.
We sure hope you have a WONDERful day, Ben! Thanks for stopping by to say hello!
I WAS SURPRISED.
A photographic memory is very cool to Wonder about, Maya! We’re glad you were surprised by this Wonder… we think it’s cool to imagine what we’d remember with a memory like that!
I think this video is awsome because it shows how valuable things are.
We are glad you shared your AWESOME comment, Amy! What a great connection you made from our memory Wonder! HOORAY for Wonder Friends!
We can’t believe that anyone can memorize pi up to 100,000 decimal places! What a memory! We tried the online test and ran out of time. We plan to return to it as a class!
It’s an incredible talent, we sure do agree, Wonder Friends in Mrs. Stringer’s Class!
We’re proud of you for trying your best on the online test! Phew, it’s a lot to memorize!
Such an interesting WONDER! And who don’t want a photographic memory!?
Hi, Wonder Friend Waad! We think having a photographic memory would come in handy from time to time– it would be like having a super power! Thanks for WONDERing with us today!
I did not like it because I did not understand it try to explain it better next time.
We’re sorry to hear that, Mary! We don’t like the feeling confused either. We bet you can better understand with the help of a teacher, parent or older sibling for this Wonder. Keep up the great work!
I didn’t get this maybe because I don’t have a photographic memory.
Not many people have photographic memories, Chrissy, so don’t you worry! We think it would be cool to remember things exactly as they are from time to time, but we still do a WONDERful job of using our imaginations, don’t we?
Yes yes we do.
We’re glad you agree, Chrissy! We Wonder… what’s your favorite topic to Wonder about?!
Why do we fall in love???
What a great Wonder, Chrissy! We bet you can talk to your family members and friends about falling in love or finding love in relationships!
Hi wonderopolis, I just started in the site and I really like it. I just wonder a little bit why the question isn’t usually answered in the wonder.
Hi there, Wonder Friend! We’re so glad you’re here– welcome to Wonderopolis! We like to use our imaginations, and help our Wonder Friends think, learn and Wonder! Sometimes there isn’t one specific answer to a question– that’s the beauty of WONDERing! We certainly don’t want to confuse you, but we also want you to do some WONDERing of your own after visiting the site!
I think I have a photographic memory because I can remember all the things I’ve ever read, said, heard, or seen.
WOW Wonder Friend Luke! You are one lucky duck to have such a SUPER memory! Thanks for telling us all about your connection to this memorable Wonder!