Thomas Riley

The History of Postal Services from 6,000 Years Ago to the Present Thomas Riley

Communication, the lifeblood of every society has undergone tremendous advances over the centuries. One of the earliest messages, as recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible, was transported by a dove to Noah in the form of an olive branch. Moses inscribed the Ten Commandments in stone tablets to stress their importance and to etch into the memory of his people lasting principles of human conduct. The Chinese developed a Post House Relay System that used mounted couriers to deliver messages on paper. The ancient Romans, Mayans, and Incas developed systems to relay messages. This very basic need to communicate over a long distance marks the advent of postal services.

The ingenuity of man in devising means to communicate over long distance is a tribute to man's imagination. Dogs, cats, camels and reindeer were used at various times until technology improved to the point where steamships, railroads and airplanes aided communication. As faster means of communication were devised the postal service was quick to make use of them. Now computers, satellites and fax machines provide even faster means to communicate.

This fascinating history follows the evolution of the postal system from stone tablet etchings to electronic mail via satellite. The book closes with a discussion about stamps and stamp collecting that will make readers look at postage stamps with greater appreciation. A wealth of images enhance the narrative.