The Public Paperfolding History Project

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Last updated 4/3/2024

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The Paper Cup
 
This page is being used to collect information about the history of the paperfolding design known as the Paper Cup. 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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In Japan (and publications by Japanese authors)

1957

The Paper Cup appears, as just 'Cup', in 'Origami: Book One' by Florence Sakade, which was published by the Charles E Tuttle Company in Rutland, Vermont and Tokyo in 1957.

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The Paper Cup also appears:

1959

In 'How to Make Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published by Toto Shuppan Co. Ltd in Japan. by McDowell Obolensky of New York in the USA and by Museum Press Ltd of London in England, in 1959.

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1965

As 'Cup' in 'The World of Origami' by Isao Honda, which was published in the USA by Japan Publications Trading Company in 1965, together with a version called 'Basket'in which in which a cut is used to create the handle.

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In Europe and the Americas

1887

There is mention of 'paper in the form of a drinking-cup' on page 133 of T T Tiimayensis' 'A History of Magic' published by J J Little and Co in New York in 1887, but, unfortunately, lacking an illustration, it is impossible to be completely sure that this is a reference to the Paper Cup design.

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1900

As far as I am aware the first illustration of the Paper Cup in the historical record is in the book 'Die Frobelschen Beschaftigungen: Das Falten' by Marie Muller-Wunderlich, which was published by Friedrich Brandstetter in Leipzig in 1900.

A second version of what is effectively the same design appears in the same book as Die Wandtasche (the wall pocket)

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1911

The design appeared as both a cup and a hat in 'Häusliche Kleinkunst und Bastelarbeit in Wort und Bild' by Hermann Pfeiffer, which was published by Verlag von Hermann Zieger in Leipzig in 1911.

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Popular Mechanics Magazine of April 1911 contained a reader's letter giving instructions for making the Paper Cup. Information from José Tomas Buitrago.

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1913

A similar letter appeared in Popular Mechanics Magazine for Feb 1913. Information from José Tomas Buitrago.

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1914

Diagrams for the Paper Cup appeared in Popular Mechanics Magazine for May 1914 as a way of 'Starting garden Plants'. . Information from José Tomas Buitrago.

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1915

'Occupational Therapy: A Manual for Nurses' by William Rush Dunton, which was published by the W B Saunders Company in Philadelphia and London in 1915, contains instructions for folding the Paper Cup.

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1918

The design also appears as 'El vaso' in 'Ciencia Recreativa' by Jose Estralella, which was published by Gustavo Gili in Barcelona in 1918.

This book also includes an illustration showing how the Paper Cup can be used as a hanging container to boil water in.

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1923

Diagrams for the paper cup under the title of 'Trinkbecher, (Drinking Cup) appear in 'Falten und Formen mit Papier' by Richard Rothe which was published by Deutscher Verlag für Jugend und Volk in Vienna and Leipzig in 1923.

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1924

The Paper Cup also appears in the book 'Jouxjoux en Papier' by Tom Tit (real name Arthur Good), published in Paris by Paul Lechevalier in 1924, under the title 'Le Gobelet de Voyage'.

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The design also appears:

1928

As 'The Drinking Cup' in 'Fun with Paper Folding', by Murray and Rigney, published by the Fleming H Revell Company, New York in 1928. In this version only one top flap is folded down, so that the outline of the finished design is pentagonal. The author suggests that the reader might 'Make large enough and turn in the (other) point ... and you will have a paper hat.'

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1932

As a 'Drinking Cup' in 'Winter Nights Entertainment' by R M Abrahams, which was published by Constable and Constable in 1932.

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As 'La Timbale de Voyage' in Booklet 1 of 'Images a Plier', a series of 6 booklets published by Librairie Larousse in Paris in 1932.

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As 'Vaso de agua' in Booklet 3 of 'Figuras de Papel', a series of 3 booklets published by B Bauza in Barcelona in 1932.

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1933

As 'Gobelet' in 'Jeux de pliages' by Ferdinand Krch, which was published by Flammarion in Paris in 1933.

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1936

As 'Fangballbecher' (Catch Ball Cup) in 'Allerlei Papierarbeiten' by Hilde Wulff and Carola Babick, which was published in Leipzig and Berlin in 1936.

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As 'A Perfect Paper Cup' in 'More Things Any Boy Can Make' by Joseph Leeming, which was published by D Appleton-Century Company in New York and London in 1936.

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1937

As the 'Drinking-Cup' in Margaret Campbell's 'Paper Toy Making', which was first published by Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons Ltd in London, probably in 1937, although both the Foreword and Preface are dated 1936, which argues that the book was complete at that date.

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1939

In 'El Mundo de Papel' by Dr Nemesio Montero, which was published by G Miranda in Edicions Infancia in Valladolid in 1939.

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As 'A Useful Drinking Cup' in 'Fun with Paper' by Joseph Leeming, which was published by Spencer Press Inc in Chicago in 1939.

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1940

As 'Vasito' (Glass) in 'El Plegado y Cartonaje en la Escuela Primaria' by Antonio M Luchia and Corina Luciani de Luchia, which was published by Editorial Kapelusz in Buenos Aires in 1940.

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1945

In Popular Mechanics Magazine for September 1945. Information from José Tomas Buitrago.

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c1940s

This foldable template for a Paper Cup was distributed by the Department of Health of the Government of Palestine during the British Mandate and was intended to help avoid the sharing of drinking cups at public water sources. It is undated but probably from the late 1940s. Information from Idan Friedman.

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The design also appears:

1948

As the 'Paper Cup' in 'The Art of Chinese Paper folding for Young and Old' by Maying Soong, which was published by Harcourt Brace and Company of New York in 1948.

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1949

As 'La Timbale' in 'Au Pays des Mains Agiles', which was published by Editions Fleurus in Paris in 1949.

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1950

In 'Holiday Craft and Fun' by Joseph Leeming, which was published by J B Lipincott Company in Philadelphia and New York in 1950.

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1951

As 'El Vaso' in 'Papiroflexia' by Elias Gutierrez Gil, which was self-published in 1951. (The drawings are strangely distorted)

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1952

As 'Vaso' in 'Una Hoja de Papel' by Lorenzo Herrero, which was published by Miguel A Salvatella in Barcelona in 1952.

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1959

In 'Fun-time Paper Folding' by Elinor Tripato Massoglio, which was published by Childrens Press in Chicago in 1959 (and is said to be a book of designs from Japan).

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1963

As 'Beaker' in the second edition of 'Het Grote Vouwboek' by Aart van Breda, which was published by Uitgeverij van Breda in 1963.

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