While figuring out how to fold a map without fighting creases, Japanese engineer Koryo Miura devised the 'Miura fold,' a zigzag grid of parallelograms that springs open in one pull. The same origami principle now lets satellites fold up solar panels for launch.

While figuring out how to fold a map without fighting creases, Japanese engineer Koryo Miura devised the 'Miura fold,' a zigzag grid of parallelograms that springs open in one pull. The same origami principle now lets satellites fold up solar panels for launch.