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Last updated 12/7/2025

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This page attempts to record what is known about the history of the pleated design I call the Stairs. 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.

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In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1914

Diagrams for this design appear in 'Zhe zhi tu shuo' (Illustrated Paperfolding), compiled by Gui Shaolie, which was published by the Commercial Press in Shanghai in Ming guo 3 (1914).

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In Japan (and in publications by Japanese authors)

1905

The Stairs appears in 'Shukoka Kyoju Saian' by Gentaro Tanahashi and Hideyoshi Okayama, which was published by Hobunkan in Tokyo in 1905.

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In Western Europe and the Americas

1889

As far as I know this design first appears as 'L'Escabeau' (stepladder) in 'Jeux et Travaux Enfantins - Première partie: Le Monde en Papier' by Marie Koenig and Albert Durand, which was published by Librairie Classique A. Jeande in Paris in 1889.

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The same design appears:

1892

In 'Le Travail Manuel a L'ecole Primaire' by Jully & Rocheron, which was published by Librairie Classique Eugene Belin in Paris in 1892.

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1939

In 'Plegado' by Rufino Yapur, which was published by Editores Independencia in Buenos Aires in 1939, where it is also depicted as a Persian Blind.

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