From Ancient Couriers to Modern Mail: The History of Post

For thousands of years, humans have sought ways to bridge distances and deliver messages across vast territories. From ancient couriers to the sophisticated networks of the 20th century, the evolution of postal services has played a crucial role in shaping societies.

So how did we form the global postal systems we rely on today? What were the steps along the way? We’re pushing the envelope to answer these questions and more. So, without any further postponement, let’s address them now.

The earliest known postal system was set up by the Ancient Egyptians in around 2000 BC. But this wasn’t the widespread logistics apparatus we know today. For one thing, it was solely at the disposal of the pharaohs, allowing them to communicate decrees across their vast territories. Composed of a network of couriers, it was the lifeline of governance, ensuring orders flowed smoothly along the Nile and beyond.

Things picked up speed in China in around 1000 BC, with the advent of a relay postal system. Under the Zhou dynasty, messengers would change horses at designated stations, ensuring missives moved swiftly across the empire. Later, the system expanded and was further refined, ensuring fresh horses and rested riders at every stop, allowing messages to travel up to 200 miles a day.

And so, by the 6th century BC, delivery services were nothing new. As well as those of Egypt and China, there had been versions in India, as well as the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian empires, amongst others. But then came the Persian postal system to set a new standard. In fact, it laid some of the foundational principles for future postal networks worldwide.

Firstly, they built a network of roads, most notably the Royal Road between the cities of Susa and Sardis. Covering some 1,600 miles, roughly the distance between New York and Denver, each route was dotted with relay stations called chapar khaneh. Couriers on horseback, known as pirradazis, would travel from one of these stations to another, passing the postal baton along the line in a relay. Finally, there were the administrative innovations, like adopting a standardised language and message format. Altogether, the system was so efficient it’s said a journey usually lasting three months on foot would be reduced to as little as a week. And it was reliable, with Greek historian Herodotus declaring, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Another great leap in postal history took place in the early days of Imperial Rome, when the Emperor Augustus established the cursus publicus or “public way.” Of course, there was nothing public about this delivery network and there could be harsh penalties for anyone caught using it outside government and military officials. Said by some scholars to have been inspired by the Persian chapar khaneh, the cursus publicus included a relay system, with stations spread along the famous Roman roads, allowing couriers to deliver messages across Europe, North Africa, and Asia Minor. With an inspectorial system to maintain efficiency and prevent misuse, messengers generally travelled about 50 miles a day.

As empires fell and the Middle Ages dawned, official postal systems waned. Yet, the need for communication didn’t disappear. Guilds and corporations often stepped in, creating their own messenger networks. One of the more unique examples was the Metzgerpost or butcher post in Germany. Butchers, constantly travelling to procure meat, began carrying letters along their routes. These informal networks kept commerce alive during times when official postal services were fragmented.

Italy was a hub of commerce and innovation during the later Middle Ages. City-states like Florence, Genoa, and Siena established extensive postal links. These were no casual arrangements; they had fixed routes, schedules, fees, and even hostels for messengers. This system provided a reliable international postal network for European merchants, setting the stage for more formal postal services to come.

The 19th century saw significant postal reforms in Britain, thanks to a teacher called Rowland Hill. In 1837, he proposed a uniform, distance-independent postage rate and introduced the world’s first adhesive postage stamp, the famous Penny Black. Before this, postage was complex and costly, often paid by the recipient. Hill’s reforms made mailing affordable and efficient, leading to a surge in mail volume. Other countries quickly followed suit, revolutionising postal systems worldwide.

As international mail exchange grew in the 19th century, the absence of a unified postal framework became a significant obstacle. Varying rates and regulations across countries made international correspondence complex and inefficient. To remedy this, the General Postal Union, eventually the Universal Postal Union (UPU) was established in 1874. The UPU standardised international postal services, creating a single postal territory for the reciprocal exchange of mail. It introduced uniform rates and streamlined procedures, greatly facilitating global communication. Today, the UPU continues to coordinate postal policies among its member nations, playing a crucial role in the seamless delivery of international mail.

The 20th century brought rapid advancements. Aeroplanes revolutionised mail delivery, with the first regular international airmail service starting between London and Paris in 1919.

Today, the rise of electronic communication has transformed how we send messages. Email and instant messaging offer alternatives to traditional mail, but postal services continue to adapt. Technologies like electronic data processing improve efficiency, and postal systems worldwide are exploring new technology, including drone deliveries and digital stamps.

• The first official postcards were introduced in Austria in 1869 and quickly became popular worldwide.
• During the Siege of Paris in 1870, hot air balloons were used to carry mail out of the city.
• The Universal Postal Union, established on 9 October 1874, standardised international mail services, making global communication more accessible.
• In the Inca Empire, relay runners called chasquis delivered messages across mountainous terrains using an extensive network of roads.
• In the early days of parcel post in the US, some families took advantage of unclear regulations to mail their children to relatives. When the US Post Office began accepting larger parcels in 1913, they didn’t specify what couldn’t be mailed. One Ohio couple paid 15 cents in stamps to send their son to his grandmother’s house a mile away.

They say it’s good to talk. And, as we’ve seen, communication is a cornerstone of society. While methods and technologies have evolved, the core mission remains the same: delivering messages and important information from one place to another, and connecting the unconnected.