Wednesday, February 20, 2013

the postman always

Rings if he/she has a parcel but otherwise we need to remember to check our curbside mailbox. Can you remember back when you checked a mailbox more than an inbox?  Back when you would mail a note without the leading ‘e’ attached to the word mail. I actually think in the future texting will be so dominate that email will be reminisced like mail is today.

Recently the shocking news that Saturday residential post deliveries will be dropped piqued my curiosity of postal delivery. Actually the new is not shocking and is about time in my opinion. Note, packages and prescription drugs will still be delivered on Saturdays.

Lisleman’s quick research (anyone want to sponsor my future research?) found historical documents at the Postal services’ web site usps.com. I sure most everyone has used this useful site for tracking packages or checking the escalating price of postage. My everyone-should-already-know tip == buy “forever” stamps. (when will a forever gasoline price be introduce?)

In one historical document easily available online I found this:

An order dated April 17, 1950, limited the number of deliveries in residential sections to one each day. It also reduced the number of deliveries to business districts by one on Saturdays only; businesses continued to receive multiple deliveries during the week.

It was before my time but households before 1950 often had the postman ring twice a day.

They also have (imagine what I would have found if this research had been sponsored?) many old photos related to the postal service’s history.






Those packages in that 1923 photo - laundry! In 1923, one postmaster estimated that 2 percent of parcels delivered by his carriers consisted of laundry. College students, especially, found it economical to mail dirty clothes home and have them mailed back clean. The typical “laundry bag” was a canvas-covered cardboard box 4½ by 12 by 20 inches, weighing six to seven pounds. In 1923, the weight limit for a single parcel was 50 or 70 pounds, depending on how far it was going.

My conclusion - doing laundry at college has never been common and most often avoided.




 Quick extra points question (no google cheating).

Who was America’s first Postmaster General?

 

Of course my post is not related in any fashion or likeness to the novel/movie “The Postman Always Rings Twice”. If Saturday delivery had the level of sexuality that this movie did, then demand for receiving a hot delivery would keep the postal system running well for many years.

(oh still clueless about the question - hint it was not Jack)

18 comments:

Rebecca said...

You know, it seems that I read something TODAY about 'forever' gasoline. It seems that somewhere........Nebraska? I honestly do not remember had some sort of gas buying thing where you could prepay for gas and some people were (still are?) buying gas for $1 a gallon!



One would think that since I read it ....less than 12 hours ago, I would remember more.

lisleman said...

Maybe it was too dreamlike to remember. thanks

longhollow said...

Off the top of my head I'm guessing Benjamin Franklin because he just seemed to have his hand in everything, didn't he? Thanks for this post - I learned a lot! I, too, think it's a smart move to stop delivery on Saturdays to save money.

Bee said...

Most of the time, we forget to check Saturday's mail. Our mailboxes are located in the front lobby, but especially on the weekends, we usually go out the back door where our parking space is located.


I'm going to guess...George Washington?

Bearman Cartoons said...

I'm all for forever gas prices

lisleman said...

It would be a popular concept but I doubt we would ever see it.

lisleman said...

It was Benjamin Franklin (if you didn't read the other comments)

Joanna Jenkins said...

Mailing laundry!?!?! I did I miss that back int he day. I would have LOVED that! I was young at the time but I clearly remember mom washing diapers and me folding them-- It was like a career there were so many diapers.

And "forever gas prices". That's the best idea I've heard in years!

Secret Agent Woman said...

I hate to see Saturday deliveries end. Not that I receive many actual letters, but I do get packages and the occasional card.

lisleman said...

I wonder how well it worked. Smell and wrinkles might be problems. Thanks

lisleman said...

Based on their news release packages will still be delivered. I do like the service at our PO. Thanks

unknownmami said...

Huh, I did not know about Saturday deliveries going away. When does that start?

Tami said...

I heard this on the news last week. I understand the reasoning behind it, but it's still sad.
(It's not Jack Nicholson???)

lisleman said...

May or April ?? Check out the USPS site

lisleman said...

Who knows he could be a guess for the postmaster question. Thanks

pick a name test said...

this should work with "pick a name"

Mrs4444 said...

This is an interesting post, Lisleman; thanks, and please let me know when that Forever Gas card becomes available! :)

lisleman said...

Yeah do you think I should submit the idea to Shell, BP or Mobil. It would be popular but I don't know if it would make money for them.

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