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Last updated 28/2/2024

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It is possible that this design was originally folded from palm leaf fronds, although I have not been able to ind any references to verify this theory.

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In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1917

The design appears as 'Paper Chain' in 'Xu Zhe zhi tu shuo' (More Illustrated Paperfolding) by Yongxiang Shi, which was published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai in 1917.

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In Japan (and in publications by Japanese authors

1965

'Origami in the Classroom: Book 1: Activities for autumn through Christmas' by Chiyo Araki, which was published by Charles E Tuttle Co Inc in 1965, contains diagrams for a cut 'Pussy Cat' whose body is a Witch's Ladder.

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Witch's Ladders are also added as arms to a Waterbomb to produce a Jack O'Lantern.

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In Europe and the Americas

1863

As far as I know the first appearance of this design in the historical record is an illustration in 'De Kleine Papierwerkers: Volume 2: Wat men uit strookjes papier al vlechten kan' which was published by K H Schadd in Amsterdam in 1863. As far as I can tell theillustration is not referred to in the text.

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The design also appears:

1873

In 'Exercices et Travaux pour les Enfants Selon la Méthode et les Procédés de Pestalozzi et de Froebel' by Fanny and Charles Delon, which was published by Librairie Hachette in Paris in 1873.

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As 'Katzenstreppchen'? (cat staircase) in Die Praxis Des Kindergartens' by Auguste Koehler, which was published by Herman Bohlau in Weimar in 1873. The text says that this design is folded from two strips and so despite the strangeness of the illustration I believe it is the Witch's Ladder.

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1882

In Part two of 'The Kindergarten Guide' by Maria Kraus Boelte and John Kraus, which was probably first published by E. Steiger and Company in New York in 1882, where is is called the 'Fairy Steps'..

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1883

A drawing of the Witch's Ladder as a worm appears in a pictorial story by Apeles Mestres dated 2nd August 1883 found in his Llibre Vert III.

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The Witch's Ladder is mentioned, under the names 'les serpents ou les accordeons' in the 17/1/1883 edition of the Journal de Instituteurs. The third paragraph of the right hand column says, roughly, 'The folding of two strips of paper of different colours, serpents or accordions as children call them, which we have all made under the instruction of out grandmothers, allows numerous observations on numbers, on lines, on the triangle, the square etc.'

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1884

The design also appears in 'Jeux et Jouet du Jeune Age' by Gaston Tissandier, which was published by G Masson in Paris in 1884.

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1886

In the second ediion of 'Des Kindes Erste Beschaftigungsbuch' by E Barth and W Niederley, which was pulished in 1886.

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1889

The design appears as 'L'Accordeon ou Serpent' in 'Jeux et Travaux Enfantins - Première partie: Le Monde en Papier' by Marie Koenig and Albert Durand was published by Librairie Classique A. Jeande in Paris in 1889.

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1891

There is a reference to an escalier de souris (Mouse stair), which I take to be a possible reference to the Witch's Ladder, in the 'Bulletin de la Societe de Protection des Apprentis', an official document issued by the Societe de Protection des Apprentis et des Enfants Employes par les Manufactures in Paris in 1891.

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1896

There is reference to 'Pussy-cat stairs' in part 2 of 'The Republic of Childhood', titled 'Froebel's Occupations', by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, which was published by Houghton, Mifflin and Company, of Boston and New York in 1896.

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The design also occurs in:

1900

'Die Frobelschen Beschaftigungen: Das Falten' by Marie Muller-Wunderlich, which was published by Friedrich Brandstetter in Leipzig in 1900.

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1908

The last ever issue of the Catalan satirical magazine 'La Campana Catalana', published in Barcelona on 29th April 1908, in a cartoon by Apeles Mestres which pictures a variety of paperfolding designs, including a Witch's Ladder in the form of a worm. This pictorial story had previously been published in his Llibre Vert III in 1883.

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1910

Mention of the Witch's Ladder, under the name of 'Jacob's Ladder', and used to make handles for May Baskets, occurs in 'Studies in Invalid Occupation' by Susan E Tracy was published by Whitcomb and Barrows in Boston in 1910

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As 'Cat-Stairs' in 'Educational Handwork' by T B Kidner, which was published by The Educational Book Company Limited in Toronto in 1910. Description only, no illustration.

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1923

In 'Trabajos Manuales y Juegos Infantiles' by Francisco Blanch, which was published by I. G. Seix y Barral Hermanos S.A.- Editores in Barcelona in 1923. About this design the text says, 'In the same way that we build worms with palm leaves, we can make them with strips of paper'.

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1933

A 'True Lover's Knot' made from two long strips of paper or straw folded into a Witch's Ladder appeared in 'Diversions and Pastimes' by R M Abraham, which was first published by Constable and Constable in London in 1933.

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1936

The design appears as 'Schlange' (Snake) in 'Allerlei Papierarbeiten' by Hilde Wulff and Carola Babick, which was published in Leipzig and Berlin in 1936. It is combined with the (Cut) Paper Snapper to make a snake.

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1937

A snake made from a Witch's Ladder appears in 'Paper Toy Making' by Margaret Campbell, 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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1949

The design appears as a way of making a decorative 'Guirlande' (Garland) in 'Au Pays des Mains Agiles', which was published by Editions Fleurus in Paris in 1949.

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1960

The design appears as 'The Concertina' in 'Paper Folding Fun' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1960.

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