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Last updated 27/8/2025

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This design is attributed to Friedrich Froebel by Eleonore Heerwart (see entry for 1895 below).

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In Europe and the Americas

1876

As far as I know a version of the Doll first appears in 'Des Kindes Erste Beschaftigungsbuch' by E Barth and W Niederley, which was published in Bielefeld and Leipzig, and the foreword of which is dated October 1876. It is made by combining the Mitre with the Jacket and Trousers to create a human figure.

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1882

Another version of the Doll appears 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.

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1887

In the introduction to an article on folding 'Nantucket Sinks' (Sanbos on Legs) in the August 1887 issue of the American children's magazine St Nicholas the writer says 'I have seen people with their skillful fingers make a wonderful outfit, raised to dignity by the great name of Napoleon.' This may possibly be a reference to the Doll.

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1893

'Practical Suggestions for Kindergartners, Primary Teachers and Mothers' by Jeannette R Gregory, which was published by C B Woodward and Co in St Louis in 1893, contains a version of the Doll made by combining the Jacket, Trousers and two Pairs of Boots. The text says 'Paste picture of boy's head and add cap.'

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1895

In a section in her 'Course of Paperfolding' containing inter alia The Jacket, The Trousers, The Pyramidal Hat and the Pair of Boots, which was published by Charles and Dible in London and Glasgow in 1895, Eleonore Heerwart says:

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1927

'Lustiges Papierfaltbüchlein' by Johanna Huber, which was published by Otto Maier in Ravensburg, Germany, probably in 1927, contains illustrations of a boy made by combining the Jacket and the Trousers (and adding crafted elements) and a girl made by combining the Dress and the Shirt (and adding crafted elements).

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1938

A version of The Doll wearing a Mitre appears in 'Spielzeug - Eine bunte Fibel' by Hans-Friedrich Geist and Alfred Mahlau, which was published by L Staadman Verlag in Leipzig in 1938. Illustration only.

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1939

The text of 'Trabajo Manual Educativo' by Araminta V Aramburu, which was published by F Crespillo in Buenos Aires in 1939, says: 'With the blouse, pants and boots we can make a doll with a face, and then, on top of it, the bricklayer's cap or the other cap that is also explained.' No illustration of the result is provided

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1951

A version of the Doll design wearing a Paper Boat Hat appears in the 1951 Rupert Annual under the title 'How To Make A Paper Man'.

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1956

A version of the Doll appears as 'The Japanese Warrior' in 'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1956. The warrior is wearing a Kabuto. The face of the Warrior is a simple paper tube.

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