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Last updated 22/11/2024

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This page is being used to collect information about the type of paper that was used for folding activities within the kindegarten and elementary classes at various dates in various places. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other information that should be added. Thank you.

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1875

In the second edition of 'Praktischer Wegweiser fur den Unterricht in der Elementarklasse' (Practical Guide for Teaching in the Elementary Class) by Anton Fruhwirth, Alois Fellner and Georg Ernst, which was first published by A Pichler's Witwe & Sohn in Vienna in 1875, the Preface states that folding is done from squares and explains how to obtain them individually from oblongs. For beginners stiff paper (writing paper) is recommended but 'Later tissue paper in various colours is preferred.'

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Similarly in 'Die Formenarbeiten: Part 3: Das Falten' by Alois Fellner, which was published by Verlag von A. Pichler's Witwe & Sohn in Vienna in 1875, the Introduction recommends that, roughly translated: 'As a teaching aid (for the teacher) a square shaped sheet made of two-colored paper with a side length of approximately 3-4 dm is necessary. As a learning aid (for students) square-shaped sheets made of fine tissue paper or stiff, two-coloured paper with a side length of approximately 1 dm are used.' (Note that 1dm is 10cms)

and

'Tissue paper sheets are better suited for school use than the others because they present students with less difficulty when folding, and, when held as finished shapes against the light, show the details of the folded shapes so clearly that even weak students can grasp the graphic representation.'

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1879

In 'Paedagogische Bibliotheek VI: Frobel' by J Versluys, which was published by W Versluys in Groningen in 1879, the author says: 'When folding, a square piece of paper is used as a base, which can be white or coloured or printed or previously written on.'

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1880

In 'Maakt de Kinderen Gelukkig' by Elise Van Calcar, which was published by H C Van Calcar in Gravenhage in 1880, the author says, roughly: 'We take packs of paper of 50 or 100 sheets, cut into squares, but also other shapes, such as triangles, hexagons, octagons, and also strips ... of all widths are used; any cuttings of paper can be used for folding.'

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The second revised and enlarged edition of 'Kleiner Kindergarten' by Karl Schellner, which was published by Alfred Holder in Vienna in 1880 says, roughly translated: 'The material ... is a square cut from white or coloured paper ... Since only precisely cut shapes can be used it is advisable to have them cut by a bookbinder ... For the hands of an inexperienced child sheets of two-coloured glossy paper ... are particularly useful. Folding sheets of chancery or tissue paper can also be used ...'

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1882

'The Kindergarten Guide' by Maria Kraus Boelte and John Kraus, which was published by E. Steiger and Company in New York and by George Philip and Son in London, probably in 1882, contains the following comments about the occupation of Paper Folding:

However, it is not clear if this applies to the folding of Forms of Symmetry made from blintzed, partly blintzed and partly partially blintzed squares, in connection with which the author says:

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1889

'Friedrich Fröbels Course of Paper-Cutting' by Eleonore Heerwart, which was published by Swan Sonnenschein and Co in London in 1889, describes the paper to be used for this activity:

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An article entitled 'The Kindergarten: XVIII' and subtitled 'The Sixth Occupation: The Surface: Paper Folding' by Anna W Barnard was published in the issue of 'The Ladies Home Journal' for January 1889 begins with a clear explanation of the difference between 'coated' and 'engine-colored' papers:

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