<foldden...@gmail.com<mailto:foldden...@gmail.com>> wrote:
>Just wondering - what would you say the earliest model dealing with fantasy or >science fiction would be? My oldest books go back to the 1960s. Were there >dragon models before then? Fairies? Rockets? This is a rather broad question, and not one I have studied. However, here are some thoughts: A very simple design from a windmill base called 'Drachen' (The Dragon) appears in 'Die Frobelschen Beschaftigungen: Das Falten' by Marie Muller-Wunderlich, which was published in 1900. See entry for 1900 in https://www.origamiheaven.com/historyofthesquid.htm This is probably the earliest design in the Western tradition with the kind of name you are looking for. As far as the Japanese tradition is concerned the question is more difficult, since there are quite a few early designs which may, or may not, represent mythical creatures etc. So for instance in Kindergarten Shoho<https://www.origamiheaven.com/historykindergartenshoho.htm>, published in 1885, there are several strange creatures with an unusual number of limbs or heads, that might be mythical creatures. Unfortunately my Japanese is not good enough to tell. More clearly, the first illustration in Origami Moyo, from 1935, https://www.origamiheaven.com/historykindergartenshoho.htm, contains a drawing of Minogame, a mythical ancient turtle which trails seaweed behind it. Then coming further up to date you will recall that Yoshizawa published an article in Asahi Graf in January 1952, containing twelve designs for the figures of the Japanese zodiac, which would have included a dragon and possible other mythic beasts. As far as I know space vehicles, of various types, first appeared in 'Paper Magic' by Robert Harbin, which was published in 1956. https://www.origamiheaven.com/historyofpaperspacevehicles.htm There may be earlier instances. Hope this helps! Dave
