In a letter to Johann Beckmann he discussed a scheme of paper sizing where each size would have a ratio of ?2 for its dimensions (width × height) and would be double the area of its neighbouring sizes. This would mean folding a sheet in half would result in a sheet the next denomination down.

The idea was largely forgotten until Dr Walter Porstmann took up the idea and created the DIN standard in 1922. Now it is used all over the world by printers as a basis for creating their flyers, brochures, leaflets and letterheads.