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Last updated 19/7/2025

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This page is being used to collect information about the history of the design known as the Kettle, which appears to be a derivative of the Waterbomb design, and its cut derivative, The Cut Kettle.. Please contact me if you know any of this information is incorrect or if you have any other important information that should be added. Thank you.

The Kettle has handles at either side and,when partly filled with water it can be held over a candle, without the paper catching fire, until the water boils.

The handles can be tweaked so that the design resembles a teapot.

There is a variation of the design in which a cut is used to create an opening in the top.

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In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1917

This design appears under the title 'Fly Cage' in 'Xu Zhe zhi tu shuo' (More Illustrated Paperfolding) by Yongxiang Shi, which was published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai in 1917. The directions comment that 'it is difficult for the fly to fly away'.

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1934

The design also appears as 'Paper Teapot' in 'Zhezhi Xinfa' (New Ways to Fold Paper), which was published by The Commercial Press in China in 1934.

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In Japan (and in publications by Japanese authors)

1893

Diagrams for the Kettle, just titled 'Box' appear in 1893 in volume 5 issue 9 of 'Shokokumin' children's magazine.

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In Europe, the Americas and Australasia

1891

So far as I know, diagrams for the Kettle first appear in issue 628 of 'The Boy's Own Paper' of 24th January 1891, under the title 'How to Boil Water in a Paper Bag'.

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1899

The Kettle design also appears, as 'La Bouilloire en Papier' in the 17th June 1899 issue of the French children's magazine 'Mon Journal'.

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1905

An article titled 'A Boiling Kettle and a Working Steamboat Made of Paper' by Louis Nikola was published in 'The Strand Magazine' in March 1905.

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1912

In an article by Morley Roberts in The Week, 6th December 1912, which was published in Queensland, Australia.

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1918

An article in Los Muchachos of 9th June 1918 explains how to fold 'Una cazuela de papel'. This article is clearly based on the article in 'The Strand Magazine' of March 1905 (see above).

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1920

Diagrams also appear in Will Blyth's 'Paper Magic', published by C Arthur Pearson, in London in 1920. The text states that ' This is another little article for the purpose of boiling Water ...'.

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1928

Diagrams also appear appear in 'Fun with Paper Folding' by Murray and Rigney, published by the Fleming H Revell Company, New York in 1928, under the somewhat odd title of 'The Sugar Bowl'.

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1931

An article by Alber headed 'Pliage de papiers' and subheaded 'La theiere japonaise' (The Japanese Teapot) in 'La Nature' Issue 2871 of 15th December 1931 explained how to make the a version of The Kettle with a hole cut in the top.

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1932

A version of the design also appears in 'Winter Nights Entertainments' by R M Abraham, which was first published by Constable and Constable in London in 1932.

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The Kettle appears as 'Le Lampion' (The Lantern) in Booklet 4 of 'Images a Plier', a series of 6 booklets published by Librairie Larousse in Paris in 1932. The hole in the top of this version is created with a cut.

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Two versions of the design, both with a hole cut in the top, appear as 'Bombonera japonesa u Olla' (Japanese Candy Box or Cooking Pot) in Booklet 1 of 'Figuras de Papel', a series of 3 booklets published by B Bauza in Barcelona in 1932.

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1937

The design also appears, as the Kettle, 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. In the preface to the first edition the author's son, Roy, writes, 'I shall not forget the miniature miracle of boiling water in a paper kettle over the flame of a lantern.'

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1939

As 'Farolito Japones' in 'Trabajo Manual Educativo' by Araminta V Aramburu, which was published by F Crespillo in Buenos Aires in 1939.

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The Cut Kettle appears as 'Farolito Japones' in 'Plegado' by Rufino Yapur, which was published by Editores Independencia in Buenos Aires in 1939.

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The Kettle appears, as 'El puchero' in 'El Mundo de Papel' by Dr Nemesio Montero, which was published by G Miranda in Edicions Infancia in Valladolid in 1939.

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1940

The Kettle and two variants, in all of which a cut is used to create a larger hole in the top, appear in 'El Plegado y Cartonaje en la Escuela Primaria' by Antonio M Luchia and Corina Luciani de Luchia, which was published by Editorial Kapelusz in Buenos Aires in 1940.

Farolito Japonais

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Tetera (Teapot)

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Azucarera (Sugar Bowl)

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'At Home Tonight' by Herbert McKay, which was published by Oxford University Press in London, New York and Toronto in 1940, contains diagrams for the version in which a cut is used to create a larger hole in the top.

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1947

The design also appeared, under the heading ' How To Make A Paper Kettle', in 'More Adventures of Rupert', which was published by The Daily Express in 1947.

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1951

Both the Kettle and the Cut Kettle appear in Plegado laminas published by Della Penna, April 1951.

Farolito Japones

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Bombonera Japonesa

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1956

As 'The Kettle / Tea Kettle' in 'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1956. The text notes ''Origin: Water-bomb Japanese'.

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1959

The 'Table Talk by Pendennis' column of 'The Observer for Sunday 11th October 1959', which was written by Anthony Sampson, contained instructions for folding the Paper Kettle.

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