Folding History: The Story of Paper Airplanes
From Ancient China to Modern Competitions

About this book:

From the moment a child folds their first paper airplane, an entire universe of history, science, and human creativity unfolds. In *Folding History: The Story of Paper Airplanes*, discover how this simple craft traces its roots to ancient China’s revolutionary invention of paper and early experiments with flight, evolving into a global symbol of ingenuity. Journey through centuries of innovation—from da Vinci’s visionary designs to the Industrial Revolution’s mass production—before diving into the high-stakes world of modern competitions, where enthusiasts chase record-breaking distances and flight times with precision-engineered creations.

But this isn’t just a tale of nostalgia or play. The book demystifies the aerodynamics behind every glide and loop, breaking down lift, drag, and stability into bite-sized lessons that transform a humble sheet of paper into a physics classroom. Explore the artistry of classic designs, the cultural resonance across continents, and the digital communities reshaping how we share and compete. Whether you’re a budding engineer, a history buff, or simply curious, *Folding History* will ignite your imagination—and maybe even your inner competitor.

With vivid chapters on Leonardo’s aerial blueprints, the science of wing design, and the fierce passion of championship flyers, this book proves that even the simplest inventions can carry humanity’s deepest aspirations. Celebrate the enduring legacy of paper airplanes and uncover why, for millennia, we’ve been desperate to make them fly. Your next throw might just change history.