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Last updated 29/4/2024

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This page is being used to collect information about the history of Simple Folds of Life (which do not otherwise have their own individual design pages). 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.

Simple Folds of Life are essentially basic or preliminary folds which have been given the names of objects that they resemble in order to make them more interesting / memorable to kindergarten pupils. As far as I know there is no evidence to suggest that Froebel himself or any of his immediate followers conceived of these basic folds as Folds of Life in this way.

Designs of this kind are frequently held together with stitches.

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1880

As far as I know Simple Folds of Life first appear as '1st Stage of Objects' in 'The Kindergarten Principle' by Mary J Lyschinska, which was published in London in 1880 by Wm Isbister Ltd. The 'objects illustrated / mentioned are:

1, The Roof (in which holes are cut to facilitate the addition of chimneys)

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2, The Book

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3, The Shawl

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4, The Handkerchief

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5, The Window

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6, The Ship in Full Sail

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7, The House

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8, The Bag

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9, The Letter

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10, The Smaller Ship in Full Sail (not illustrated)

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12, The Smaller Bag (not illustrated)

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13, The Smaller Letter (not illustrated)

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Simple Folds of Life also appear:

1882

In Part 2 of 'The Kindergarten Guide' by Maria Kraus Boelte and John Kraus, which was published by E. Steiger and Company in New York in 1882. This work contains many simple folds that can best be characterised as Simple Folds of Life.

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1890

In 'Part 1 for Prang's Complete Course in Form Study and Drawing Books I and II' by John S Clark, Mary Dana Hicks and Walter S Perry, which was published by the The Prang Educational Company in Boston, New York and Chicago in 1890.Two simple folds of life, a handkerchief case and an envelope, are illustrated in this work.

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1892

In 'The Prang Primary Course in Art Education: Part 1: The First Primary Year' by Mary Dana Hicks and Josephine C Locke, which was published by the Prang Educational Company in Boston in 1892. This work contains a number of Simple Folds of Life.

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1893

In 'Paper and Scissors in the Schoolroom' by Emily Weaver, which was published by Milton Bradley Company in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1893. This work contains several pages explaining Simple Folds of Life.

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1895

In 'The Republic of Childhood' by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, which was published in three parts by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, of Boston and New York in 1895 and 1896. contains a list of Folds of Life. some of which are clearly Simple Folds of Life..

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1897

In 'Kindergarten Guide' by Lois Bates, which was published by Longmans, Green and Co in London in 1897.

1. Book or Screen

2. Tunnel

4. Table

5. Stool

6. Shawl

7. Tent

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9. Sailing Boat

11. Open Envelope

12. Closed Envelope

15. Open Envelope (of smaller size)

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1910

In 'Educational Handwork' by T B Kidner, which was published by The Educational Book Company Limited in Toronto in 1910

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In Part 1: 'Das Flechten' (Weaving) of 'Die Frobelschen Beschaftigungen' by Marie Muller-Wunderlich, which was published by Friedrich Brandstetter in Leipzig in 1910.

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1918

In 'Ciencia Recreativa' by Jose Estralella, which was published by Gustavo Gili in Barcelona in 1918. The chapter introduction says, roughly, 'By folding it, according to art, curious figures are obtained, which more or less conventionally recall the shape of various objects. These constructions, which had once been considered as futile entertainment for children, have been rehabilitated by modern Pedagogy and consequently admitted with all honours to schools: They give rise in fact to extremely useful exercises in manual work ...'

The folds explained are Librito - Booklet, Panuelo - Handkerchief, Manteleta - Blanket, Yelmo - Helmet, Yelmo pequeno - Small Helmet, Velero - Sailboat, Caja (Box), Armario (Wardrobe) and Ventana (Window).

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1936

In 'Allerlei Papierarbeiten' by Hilde Wulff and Carola Babick, which was published in Leipzig and Berlin in 1936: Book, Sailing Ship, House, Envelope and Bauernhaus (Farmhouse)

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1961

In 'Wir Falten' by Joachim Schönherr and Gerta Schumann, which was published by Rudolf Arnold Verlag in Leipzig in 1961: Book / Handkerchief / House / Neckerchief / Tent / Fliegerdreieck / (Open Letter / Closed Letter / Stairs.

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