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Last updated 18/9/2025

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The Additional Occupation of Constructing Stars, Polygons and Other Patterns by Combining Folded Shapes
 
This page is being used to collect information about the Additional Occupation of Constructing Patterns from Folded Shapes. 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.

This occupation should be distinguished from Getafel Formen, which is the laying together of Forms of Beauty to create tilings.

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1877

As far as I know, this Additional Occupation first appears in 'Primary Methods: A Complete and Methodical Presentation of the Use of Kindergarten Material in the Primary School' by W N Hailmann, which was published by A S Barnes and Company in New York and Chicago in 1887, where the results are called 'social syntheses' ie patterns made by combining shapes folded by several children.

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1895

'Course of Paperfolding' by Eleonore Heerwart, which was published by Charles and Dible in London and Glasgow in 1895, contains a section about creating stars and polygons by combining folded shapes. The examples include a seven-point star 'accidentally discovered by Miss S M Crombie'.

Note that figure 5 on Plate XXIX is a heptagonal star.

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1910

'Educational Handwork' by T B Kidner, which was published by The Educational Book Company Limited in Toronto in 1910, contains a section explaining how to fold or fold and cut) simple mosaic pieces suitable for arranging into stars.

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