Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, the introduction of the postage stamp revolutionized communication. Before stamps, the receiver, not the sender, typically paid for the mail, which often led to refusal. The first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in Britain in 1840. It featured a portrait of Queen Victoria and cost one penny. Interestingly, the stamp was not originally intended for mass mailing; it was primarily designed for sending newspapers. However, its success quickly changed postal systems worldwide, making prepayment standard and reducing costs significantly.