Eli5: Why can you only fold a paper in half seven times, no matter the size ?

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Eli5: Why can you only fold a paper in half seven times, no matter the size ?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

It really wants to unfold itself. Each layer has some springiness and when you have 128 layers, it adds up.

However, Mythbusters managed to fold it [11 times](https://blog.thepapermillstore.com/seven-fold-limit-myth-fact-fiction/) using a steamroller and a forklift.

Also, there may be a limit where it becomes too thick to fold without ripping. Apparently that’s more than 7 though.

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