A Neurotech History Series
Why do we remember some experiences for a lifetime while others disappear?
Canadian psychologist Donald Hebb proposed that learning occurs when neurons repeatedly become active together, strengthening their connections. His famous idea is often summarized as, “Cells that fire together, wire together.”
Although later refined, Hebb’s theory became one of the foundations of modern neuroscience.
Today’s understanding of learning, neuroplasticity, and many artificial neural networks traces its intellectual roots to Hebb’s insight.
Last Updated on August 24, 2026 | Published: August 24, 2026