The History of Intervisual Books

Pop-up books make a story jump off the page.

Intervisual Books creates three-dimensional worlds for children of all ages with interactive and educational handmade pop-up books in 17 languages and in 40 countries.

Inspiration

While recognized in Europe as an esteemed medium for children's literature, the popularity of pop-up books in the United States remained low until the 1960s. That's when American businessman Waldo Hunt traveled to Prague and met Vojtech Kubasta, a Czech paper engineer who hand-crafted pop-up books and inspired Hunt to do the same.

Founder

Waldo Hunt acknowledged the popularity of pop-up books in Europe and wanted to bring them to the United States. However, he was stonewalled by export restrictions in the recently enacted Warsaw Pact. He created Graphics International in 1965 and constructed pop-ups for Random House, where their enduring popularity led him to sell his company to Hallmark Cards in 1969 and start Intervisual Books.

Facts

Intervisual Books became incorporated in the 1970s, diversifying its line of pop-up books by adding three-dimensional board games, board books, cloth books and activity books.

References

• Jacket Flap: Piggy Toes Press / Intervisual Books
• "The New York Times": Waldo Hunt, King of the Pop-Up Books
• Univeristy of Northern Texax Library: Pop-up and Movable Books--1965 to Present