Origami finds new dimensions at MIT

Joseph Khan:

"We're trying to get people to understand it's not about paper boats and cranes.''

So said Yanping Chen, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology sophomore, as he expertly folded and refolded a 6-inch square piece of paper. Six minutes later, he set down in front of him -- what's this? -- a paper crane. Only it did not resemble any crane a grade-schooler might make from a beginner's origami primer.

Chen's had five tiny heads and looked ready to fly away at any moment. But then he's no origami novice, either. Chen arrived at MIT with a sophisticated knowledge of origami design, quickly connecting with like-minded enthusiasts through OrigaMIT, a club for serious paper folders who know how to push the envelope, not just turn one into a paper yacht.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at February 16, 2011 2:48 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas