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Last updated 12/4/2024

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Die Frobelschen Beschaftigungen by Marie Muller-Wunderlich, 1910
 
'Die Frobelschen Beschaftigungen' by Marie Muller-Wunderlich was published by Friedrich Brandstetter in Leipzig in four parts. Part 1: Das Flechten (Weaving), Part 2: Das Falten (Folding). Part 3: Die Erbsenarbeiten (Pea Work), Part 4: Die Tonarbeiten (Clay modelling). Parts 1 and 2 contain paperfolding material. These books are kindergarten manuals.

As far as I know these books are undated. In his 'A History of Folding in Mathematics: Mathematizing the Margins' (p231) Michael Friedmann states that part 2 was 'published around the end of the nineteenth century.' I do nor know what evidence he was relying on for this early date. Other sources suggest 1900 or 1910, but again provide no evidence. As is my normal practice I have used the later date pending evidence for an earlier date emerging.

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Part 1: Das Flechten

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Designs woven from folded strips

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Slit and Fold Chevron Designs

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Part 2: Das Falten

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Das Falten contains sections on Forms of Life and Schonheitsformen.

Das Falten

The Das Falten section is divided into:

The simplest folding shapes of the kindergarten (ie simple folds of life)

Folding from the simple basic groundform (ie from the double blintz base / windmill base)

Folding shapes that do not start from the basic groundform (ie miscellaneous designs)

Folding from the double basic groundform (ie the third groundform or triply blintzed basic form)

A number of other miscellaneous designs are tagged on at the end.

Inter alia the introductory material states, roughly translated, 'it is very boring for the child who likes to create if he is mainly taught in a folding lesson and the little fingers have to remain idle. The exploitation of the paper as an object of denonstration for mathematical lessons would rather be reserved for the intermediate and lower classes of the learning school (presumably elementary school).

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Simple Froebelian Forms of Life

(Not numbered)

Bilderbuch (picture book)

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Taschentuch (handkerchief)

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Täschchen (purse)

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Zelt (tent)

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Umschlagetuch (shawl)

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Segelschiff (sailing ship)

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Haus (house)

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Wickellbett (nappy changing table)

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Briefumschlag (envelope)

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Brief (letter)

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Tüte (bag)

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Becher (cup) - The Paper Cup

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Designs from the double blintz base / windmill base

1. Salzfass - The Salt Cellar

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2. Kabaret - The Pepperpot

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Reisetasche - The Travel Bag

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Krone - The King's Crown

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Bett - The Bed

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Körbchen - The Basket

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Vogel (bird) - The Cocotte / Pajarita

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Tisch - The Table

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Windmühle - The Windmill

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Das Segelschiff - The Boat with Sail

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Krawatte (kravat) - The Vase

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Drachen (dragon) - The Squid

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13, Ente - The Duck

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14, Doppelkahn - The Double Boat

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15, Kahn mit Fischkasten - Boat with Fishbox

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16, Zwei Fischkasten - The Portfolio

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17, Das Spiegelrahmen - The Frame

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18, Der Spiegel - The Mirror

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19, Das Kästschen (the casket) - The Solid Box

(The wording makes it clear that this is the Solid Box. although the drawing looks more like the Junk Box. The inclusion of flaps in the drawing is an error. The wording says, roughly, 'The inner edges are carefully pulled apart fron the mirror frame'.)

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Miscellaneous designs

20, Wandtasche (wall pocket) - The Paper Cup

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21, Boot (boat) - The Keel Boat

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22, Schweinchen - The Pig

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23, Bilderrahmen (picture frame) -

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24, Haus (house) -

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25, Die Sammet oder Perlentüte (velvet or pearl bag) -

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26, Täschchen (purse) -

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Designs from the triple blintz basic form

28, Orden (medal) - The Cross

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29, Stern (star) -

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30, Jacke (jacket) - The Jacket

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31, Hose - The Trousers

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32, Stiefel - The Pair of Boots

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33, Stuhl - The Chair

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34, Schmetterling - The Butterfly

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35, Portemonnaie (coin wallet) -

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36, Hohes Kästchen (height box) - The Junk Box

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37, Gondel (gondola) - The Chinese Junk

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More miscellaneous forms

38, Sanduhr (the sandglass) - The Hourglass

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39, Guckkasten (peep box) -

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40, Nachtfalter (the moth) -

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41, Blasebalg - The Bellows

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42, Frosch (frog) - The Flat Frog

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43, Blatt (leaf) -

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44, Geschlossenes Kästchen (closed box) - The Catherine of Cleves Box

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45, Flattermühle - The Cut and Fold Windmill

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46, Knalltasche (pop bag) - The Paper Banger

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47, Zaubertäschchen (magic bag) - The Puzzle Purse

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48, Sonnenschirmchen (the parasol) -

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49, Henne mit Küchlein (hen with chicks) - The Cocotte / Pajarita

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50, Tisch mit Stühlen (table with chairs) - The Table / The Chair / The Salt Cellar

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51, Schippe (shovel) - The Shovel

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52, Spitze Schippe (spade) - .

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53, Einfacher Helm (easy helmet) - The Newspaper Hat

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54, Aufgeschlagener Helm (the opened helmet) - The Pyramidal Hat

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55, Fächer (the fan) -

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56, Schmetterling (the butterfly) -

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57, Ordensstern (medal star) -

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58, Zugvögel (migratory birds).

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59, Grosse Schiff (large ship) - The Paper Boat

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60, Federkasten - The Pencil Case

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61, Pfeil (arrow) - The Paper Dart

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62, Ziehharmonika (accordion) - The Witch's Staircase

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63-65, Bänder (the bands).

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Selected Pages

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Schonheitsformen

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