雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

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 recipient, not the sender, usually paid for the delivery, 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 was printed in black ink. Interestingly, the stamp was not an immediate success because people were used to the old system. However, within a few years, the prepaid system became standard worldwide. Also, the design of early stamps often included intricate patterns to prevent forgery.