The Public Paperfolding History Project

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The Yarn Spool / Holy Place / Memorial Arch
 

This page attempts to record what is known about the history of the design I call the Yarn Spool. 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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The Yarn Spool

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). It is titled 'Holy Place', which probably indicates that the design is being interpreted as a temple. Two different methods of arriving at the design are given.

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In Western Europe and the Americas

1895

So far as I am aware a drawing of this design first appears in Eleonore Heerwart's 'Course in Paperfolding', which was first published in Dutch in 1895 then in English by Charles and Dible in London and Glasgow in 1896. It is not named but is probably best interpreted as a yarn spool.

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The Memorial Arch

In China (and in publications by Chinese authors)

1914

Diagrams for this design, which is made by glueing two 'Holy Places' (ie Yarn Spools) together, 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). The top 'Holy Place' is folded in half. It must clearly also altered to produce the two 'horns', although this alteration is not mentioned in the text.

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