Paper Engineering: Fold, Pull, Pop & Turn

The Smithsonian Exhibit June 14-2010 -Fall 2011
at The National Museum of American History, Washington, DC

By Ellen G. K. Rubin

There is no substitute for being there. Try to make your way to America’s capital city to see this new exhibit of over 50 books from 1540 to-date. Curated by Stephen Van Dyk, Head Librarian of the Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum in New York City (with some assistance from The Popuplady, Ann Montanaro, and Carol Barton), old and new books rub elbows sharing the mechanisms that animate them. See the carousel turn and open and close 2 books yourself, controlling the timing and popping up.Remember to pick up the beautiful brochure explaining the mechanisms and the template to make your own patriotic pop-up, engineered by Bruce Foster and illustrated by Chuck Fischer. The Popuplady was there for the opening and she wants to share her excitement Read about the opening. Here are some photos.