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Last updated 14/1/2025

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This anonymous article headed 'Recreations scientifiques' and subheaded 'Un oiseau mecanigue en papier' (mechanical paper bird) explains how to make and operate The Flapping Bird. The article includes the information that this design originated with 'les prestidigitateurs japonais' (Japanese conjurors). Source: Article by Christophe Curat and Michel Grand in Le Pli 131 of November 2013. English translations of the article appear in British Origami 286 of June 2014 and The Paper 116 of Summer 2014.

The information that The Flapping Bird originated with Japanese conjurors is intriguing. However, there is no direct historical evidence to support this statement it and it may be that a Japanese origin was imputed to make the design seem more mysterious, as happened with Troublewit and other paperfolding designs.

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