Form Four's history is probably not as mundane as some of the preceding forms, like the Ones and the Twos. Although, like these earlier forms it was created in the late 1950's. But, unlike its immediate predecessor, Long Form Three, Form Four did not have any real sanctioned physical changes since its initial development.
Originally, Form Four was intended to be the last form of the system. It was to be the culmination and logical successor to all the previous forms. But that design intent didn't last long. Within a few more years after Form Four's creation, Form Five and Six were added. And, much later (the 1980's) Form Seven was added, with more forms in the early planning stages; but never implemented due to Mr. Parker's death in late 1990.
Although, some practitioners claim there is a Form Eight, that subject is left for another time to discuss.
In the earliest era of American Kenpo, the self-defense techniques had a basic physical form of execution, but were never given names. Although some techniques were given nicknames, like "The Standard Four Count" (Parting Wings) and "Inward Defense" (later to become Delayed Sword - with slight changes). Instead, the self-defense techniques were given a rank and number designation; such as Orange Belt #1, Purple Belt #5, etc. Videos of this naming convention can be seen from this era on the famous "iron man" tapes. This was one of Mr. Parker's original attempts to film parts of the system on Hi-8 film. This film was later converted to VHS and then finally to digital.
Historical note: Yellow Belt did not exist at this time (not until the early 1970's), so you will never see a Yellow Belt #x self-defense technique.
This tradition changed in the 1960's, when the Tracy brothers, a family of brothers who broke away from Mr. Parker, started giving their self-defense techniques names. Mr. Parker thought this idea had merit for the practitioner and from that point forward all self-defense techniques were given individual names.
As far as this naming convention idea being adopted by Mr. Parker; he, in his usual fashion for implementing new ideas, would not just take an idea wholesale. Instead, Mr. Parker would take time to think about the idea, agree that the idea was sound, then make improvements or enhancements to it. Finally, with his "signature" added, implement the modified solution into the system.
The self-defense naming idea is a prime example of this methodology. Instead of just randomly giving names to self-defense techniques, Mr. Parker developed an argot-based system. An argot is a term to describe the using of words with a meaning other than its common definition. A kind of code word. Mr. Parker used terms like: wing (arm), feathers (hair), branch (leg), sword (hand-sword), lance (knife), etc. With this significant modification, the self-defense technique naming convention was implemented into American Kenpo. Although, not all of Mr. Parker's students were in favor of some of the names. Names like "Squeezing the Peach" seemed non-serious or too comical for them. But, in the end, their argument did not win out.
Historical note: the term "isolation" was also not developed at this earlier stage. Instead, an "isolation" was referred to as an "exercise". This name for an "isolation" only lasted for a short time, but there are still a few practitioners from that era that persist in using this term. This note is presented so that if the modern-day American Kenpo practitioner runs into a lineage that still uses this older, transient term, they are not confused by it.
So, what does all of this history about techniques and names of things have to do with Form Four? In order to understand what is about to be described next, a primer on the history leading up to the next part was imperative. One needs to understand the context before they will appreciate the outcome.
A key historical point related to Form Four is the origin of the self-defense technique Circling Windmills. During the earlier era in the system's development, an attempt was made to give the isolation sequences of the forms names, to be in alignment with the self-defense techniques. This is notable in the form Long Form Three (see the EPAKS Guide to Long Form Three - History for more details), but it also pertains to Form Four, only in a slightly different manner. Although this naming attempt was fairly quickly abandoned, the repercussions of the idea can still be witnessed in the system.
Unlike the other self-defense techniques in Form Four, there was no self-defense technique Circling Windmills prior to Form Four's development. These movements were developed for a single purpose, as one of the two isolation sequences within Form Four. At a later point in time, these motions were pulled out of the form to create the base movements of the self-defense technique Circling Windmills.
The interesting part of this fact is that none of the other isolation sequences from any of the other forms, including the first isolation of Form Four, were given such a distinction. This is the major reason why this self-defense technique has such an odd and out of place feel when compared to most of the other self-defense techniques of the system. The motions were never designed to be a self-defense technique. A self-defense technique was developed from the motions of an isolation. And if one understands the purpose of an isolation, then one can understand why this is really not the best idea. But, how did this happen?
Mr. Parker always felt that he would die young. He had premonitions of his death at various points in his life. One such premonition resulted with the death of one of his brothers (his older brother Arthur). So, Mr. Parker always felt that he was on the clock. And, he wanted to document his life's work.
Mr. Parker was very happy with the base of the system. The material he worked on up through Back Breaker and through Form Six. Yet, his students were continually asking for more from him. Basically, more data to justify more rank. Something he really didn't want to do, but had to. He was torn between more data based upon old works, exploring new ideas, and completely documenting the existing material. And, he wanted to do it all.
So, what does one do? There is only one real plausible answer, rely upon others. Ed Parker Jr. was his major ally in this endeavor. EPJ gave up a flourishing career in the TV and movie industry to go back home and help his father complete his mission, at his father's request. EPJ worked tirelessly in this pursuit until his father's passing. The Infinite Insight series is the major result of his personal sacrifices. But he was not the only one assisting. Others contributed in other ways.
Suffice it to say that Mr. Parker was not the one composing some of the minor materials for the books, just approving it. Nothing major. Just mundane things, such as technique lists. And with the decision to include the help of others, he approved things that he would not otherwise have accepted. He was on an internal, ever approaching time limit. He needed to go to press. Also, he required and agreed to the help, and didn't want to lose that help by being overly critical of their input. Therefore, elements crept into the system that otherwise would not have been introduced by Mr. Parker. Things that are now in "black and white" and accepted as gospel. Solely because Mr. Parker allowed them into the official documentation.
Circling Windmills is a prime example of this circumstance. Never created as a self-defense technique by Mr. Parker. But the motions basically developed by Mr. Parker - just not for this new purpose. Yet, allowed to be documented into the system as such.
The answer to the initial question of how: because of pressure from fear of one's impending demise, pressure for more material output requests from others, and an understated attitude that, "those that know, will know better" prevailed. Unfortunate, but a historical reality.
Also, contained within this historical overview is a hidden lesson. A lesson that is expanded upon within the chapters named "Execution" and "Variations". One should be very careful about changes. They can become permanent and have unintended consequences.
In the end, the unfortunate truth is that with of all of this history about documenting his works and the final outputs from it, there was never a comprehensive overview about Form Four from Mr. Parker.
Yes, there are the manuals, which give a general description of how to perform the form, where it is intended to be taught within the system, and some other commonly known data about the form. But never anything that details the information contained within the form. Information that is extremely important in order for one to grasp American Kenpo as it should be. This guide is an attempt to remedy this regrettable reality.
But, none of these historic details detract from the incredibly intricate, applicable, and outright genius work of a single individual. And, Long Four is only a single, but very significant, testament to this undeniable fact. Truly the "heart" of American Kenpo.