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Last updated 27/8/2025

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There is another very similar design, The Puff Ball, which is made in four pieces, which do not correspond to the x, y and z axes, which has a page of its own.

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.

At first sight these designs might not appear to be paperfolding designs. However, they cannot be assembled without folding the pieces from which they are assembled and thus, to this extent at least, qualify as paperfolding designs.

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In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1934

The Slit and Assemble Sphere appears as 'Paper Ball' in 'Zhezhi Xinfa' (New Ways to Fold Paper), which was published by The Commercial Press in China in 1934.

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In Europe and the Americas

1853

According to Eleonore Heerwart, the Slit and Assemble Cube was included in the Keilhau list of objects that she wrote down in 1853.

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1876

As far as I know the Slit and Assemble Sphere first appears in 'Des Kindes Erste Beschaftigungsbuch' by E Barth and W Niederley, which was first published in Bielefeld and Leipzig, and the foreword of which is dated October 1876.

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1895

As 'Ornament for a Christmas Tree' in 'Course of Paperfolding' by Eleonore Heerwart, which was published by Charles and Dible in London and Glasgow in 1895.

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The Slit and Assemble Sphere also appears:

1896

In 'Pleasant Work for Busy Fingers' by Maggie Browne, which was published by Cassell and Company in London in 1896. This book is an English version of 'Des Kindes Erste Beschaftigungsbuch' enhanced by the addition of a few extra designs.

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1932

In 'Winter Nights Entertainments' by R M Abraham, which was first published by Constable and Constable in London in 1932, under the title 'A Paper Ball'.

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1936

As 'A Paper Ball' in 'More Things Any Boy Can Make' by Joseph Leeming, which was published by D Appleton-Century Company in New York and London in 1936.

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1938

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

As 'Paper Balls' in 'Fun with Paper' by Joseph Leeming, which was published by Spencer Press Inc in Chicago in 1939.

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1940

In 'At Home Tonight' by Herbert McKay, which was published by Oxford University Press in London, New York and Toronto in 1940, again under the title of the Puff Ball.

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1953

In the 1953 Rupert Annual under the title of 'Paper Ball'.

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1960

As 'The Puff Ball Puzzle' in 'Paper Folding Fun' by Robert Harbin, which was published by Oldbourne in London in 1960.

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1963

As 'The Wonder Ball' in 'Fell's Guide to Papercraft: Tricks, Games and Puzzles' by Walter B Gibson, which was published by Frederick Fell Inc in New York and George McLeod Ltd in Toronto in 1963.

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