Max Wertheimer

1880-1943

Max Wertheimer is considered the founder of Gestalt Psychology.  He studied law for several years before graduating with his degree in philosophy.  He served as a professor at several Universities in Germany before leaving the country in 1934 due to the war in Europe.  After which, he moved to the United States and began work with the New School for Social Research in New York City.

In 1910, at only 30 years of age, he developed an interest in perception after viewing a stroboscope in a child's toy store.  After researching with this toy and the science behind it, he developed, along with his colleagues, theories of perception and perceptual grouping.