The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 23/12/2023

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How to Drop a Strip of Paper to Land on One Edge
 
This page attempts to record what is known about the origin and history of the challenge of How to Drop a Strip of Paper to Land on One Edge which is achieved by paper folding. 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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1636

As far as I know this effect first appears in 'Deliciae physico-mathematicae, oder mathematische und philosophische Erquickstunden' by Daniel Schwenter, which was first published in 1636.

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The effect also occurs:

1686

In the 1686 edition of 'Het natuurlyk tover-boek' by Simon Witgeest.

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1702

In 'Neueröffnete Raritäten und Kunst-Kammer' by Simon Witgeest, which was published in Nurnberg in 1702.

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1759

In 'Onomatologia curiosa artificiosa et magica oder ganz natürliches Zauber-lexicon', which was published in 1759.

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1762

In Part Four of 'Die Zehenmal Hundert und Eine Kunst' by Albrecht Ernst Friedrich von Crailsheim, which was published in 1762.

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1785

In 'Künste und Geheimnisse von Philadelphia zur Belastigung Jedermanns', which was published in Amsterdam in 1785.

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1817

In Volume 3 of 'Der magische Jugendfreund' by Johann Heinrich Moritz von Poppe, which was published in Frankfurt in 1817.

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1839

In the 5th edition of 'Das Buch der Zauberei' by Johann August Donndorff, which was published in Vienna in 1839.

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1882

In 'Spiel und Sport' by Dr Jan Daniel Georgens, which was published by Verlag und Drud von Otto Spamer in Leipzig and Berlin in 1882.

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1923

In more modern times the effect appears in 'More Paper Magic' by Will Blythe, which was first published by C Arthur Pearson in London in 1923.

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