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Episode details

World Service,12 Jun 2026,26 mins

Why does paper fold so well?

CrowdScience

Available for over a year

CrowdScience listener Haruka has been making origami cranes out of paper since she was a child. Creating one out of a cloth napkin, however, was a next-level challenge. It gave her a new appreciation of paper鈥檚 excellent foldability, and made her wonder: what is it about paper鈥檚 structure that means it remembers its creases? We set out to unfold her question as we peer into paper鈥檚 secrets. First stop: Frogmore, the world鈥檚 first mechanised paper mill. Here, Dr Steven Mann is on hand to explain the papermaking process, the chemistry of paper, and why that makes for a foldable sheet. Host Caroline Steel tries to make a paper crane, assisted by both listener Haruka and origami teacher Toshiko Kurata, who also introduces us to an array of paper types. Each type folds differently, and, with the help of a trusty microscope, Professor Bill Sampson from the University of Manchester reveals why. Finally, we see just how complex paper folding can get, meeting Professor Tomohiro Tachi from the University of Tokyo, and his invention, The Origamizer. Presenter: Caroline Steel Producer: Cathy Edwards Editor: Ben Motley (Photo: Toshiko Kurata and Caroline Steel with origami creations - Credit:麻豆社)

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