THE SECRET TO EFFICIENT PACKING
The classic packing problem: Given a suitcase, chest, or packing box, and a whole bunch of things that need to fit in there, how do I efficiently put them in so as to get the most things in that limited volume? Starting with a container – box, chest, suitcase, etc. – and a pile of objects to go in, there are really two opposite approaches to the problem.
1. Pick up one of the objects at random, and look for a convenient space in which it will fit. Repeat until there is no place to put anything else. Our natural inclination seems to be doing things this way.
2. First see if any of the objects will fit inside any of the others (will her shoes fit inside his?). Next look over all the objects and find one, two or even 3 that, when put adjacent, closely fit one of the box’s dimensions (length, width or height). This includes considering different orientation of objects (lay it down flat, or on its edge, or on end). Keep looking over all the objects for ones that almost exactly fit into a remaining space in the box. This includes watching to see if it will leave a space that closely fits some other object to put in next.
These two approaches amount to:
1. Fit things in so as to make the best use of the available volume.
2. Concentrate on arranging things to leave the least unused volume.
Granted, the second approach takes a lot more thinking than the apparently natural way, but you will be amazed at how much stuff can be fitted into a storage (or travel) container when the unused volume is minimized. This also applies to loading the trunk of your car when heading off on vacation, of course.
When used for traveling, aside from more thinking and experimenting in placement, there is another price to pay for fitting a lot more stuff in a given volume. You have to remember where everything goes each time you pack and unpack at a different travel stop. But the alternatives are more travel bags to lug and keep track of on your trips, or else things that you must leave behind. I can tell you what experienced travelers do!