The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 27/1/2025

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Plane Geometry and Fancy Figures Exhibition, 1959
 
This early exhibition of paperfolding was held in New York at the Cooper Union Museum for the Arts and Decoration in 1959.

According to David Lister, writing in his article 'Martin Gardner and Paperfolding' in 'Mathematical Wizardry for a Gardner':

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The catalogue (see below) is notable for including a historical introduction by Edward Kallop (which also appeared in 'The Art of Origami' by Samual Randlett, published by E P Dutton in New York in 1961).

Edward Kallop was the Associate Curator of Exhibitions at the Cooper Union Museum. The information given in his introduction has been widely repeated in other sources. It is, however, questionable in some places.

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The exhibition is mentioned in articles published in:

The New York Times of 2nd June 1959

Newsweek of 15th June 1959

The Buckingham Post of 10th July 1959

The Washington Post on 12th July 1959

The Observer of 29th August 1959

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Juan Gimeno has told me that the Miguel de Unamuno designs, the Table, Crow, Teapot, Elephant and Frog, were folded by either Felisa de Unamuno or her sister Maria. A photograph of the Table is given in the catalogue. The Teapot is well known as La Tetera. The other three designs cannot be specifically identified at present.

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The Catalogue

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I do not have any other information about the paperfolding or Ernst Hacker.

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Photographs of some of the displays appeared in 'The Art of Origami' by Samuel Randlett, which was published by E P Dutton in New York in 1961.

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