What is Paper Engineering?
Paper engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with the usage of physical science (e.g. chemistry and physics) and life sciences (e.g. biology and biochemistry) in conjunction with mathematics as applied to the converting of renewable raw materials into useful and valuable products.
As it relates to books, paper engineering is the cutting, gluing and folding of paper to create books and ephemera with pop-ups, pull-tabs, flaps and a variety of other moving parts.
The Richardson Collection includes books on how to make your own pop-up books as well!
The Practical Step-by-Step Guide to Making Pop-Ups and Novelty Cards by Publication Date: 2011Pop-ups are ingenious mechanical paper devices designed to surprise, entertain and educate. This fantastic new book begins with an exploration of the history of pop-ups by expert Ann Montanaro, charting their many uses over the centuries. Today pop-ups are seen in cards and children's story-books, in reference books, and as works of art in their own right. Following an informative section on materials and techniques, over 100 pop-up techniques and projects are shown step by step. The projects are divided by their skill level, beginning with basic pop-up mechanisms such as the V or A fold. Use these basic folds to make a classic Angel Christmas Card or a scary Wolf 's Head. Soon, you will be adding layers, wheels and tabs to produce more complicated designs such as a charming nest of Russian Dolls or a Magic Writing Pencil.
Pop-Up Paper Engineering by Publication Date: 1992The techniques of creating pop-up forms are demonstrated in a series of practical lessons. The book also suggests ways in which pop-up forms can be used to enrich the study of English and art, and contains illustrations of childrens work.
Up-Pops by Publication Date: 1997Each of the ten basic paper engineering mechanisms shown in this book has an important explosive quality. Each folds flat, but when it is eased out of its envelope it suddenly jumps into a three dimensional shape.
Paper Engineering by Publication Date: 1985This authoritative book illustrates in dynamic form ten basic mechanisms which are used in making popup books. It offers many imaginative possibilities for the hobbyist, or the student of design and technology. Each of the ten basic mechanisms is illustrated by a working model which you can cut out and make:Multiple layersFloating layersV-foldMagic boxMoving armRotating discSliding motionPull-up planesPivoting motionDissolving scenesWhen finished, each working model glues back into the book on a special tab and folds away to make a kind of three dimensional dictionary or encyclopaedia.For each working model there is also a page called technical considerations which points out important features of the mechanism and suggests how it might be used to create original designs of your own.
What is a Pop-Up Book?
The term pop-up book is often applied to any three-dimensional or movable book, although properly the umbrella term movable book covers pop-ups, transformations, tunnel books, volvelles, flaps, pull-tabs, pop-outs, pull-downs, and more, each of which performs in a different manner. Also included, because they employ the same techniques, are three-dimensional greeting cards. “These are books that contain text or illustrations that can be moved or manipulated, more than in the turning of an ordinary page. They are also called ‘action books’ or ‘special effects books’.” Some examples include: 3-D books, Board books, Glow-in-the-dark books, Lift-the-flap books, Light-up books, Pop-up books, Puzzle books, Scented books, Sound panel books, Sticker books, textured books, and Toy books.
Many people associate the Eastern art of folding paper forms, called origami, with techniques of paper engineering. Few origami structures are designed to more - most are static- and thus, movement differentiates pop-ups from origami.
