雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Interestingly, the first organized postal system wasn't in Europe, but in ancient Persia around 550 BC. It used mounted couriers to deliver messages across the empire. However, the system we recognize today, with stamps and standardized rates, began in Britain in 1840 with the Penny Post. This innovation made sending letters affordable for ordinary people, leading to a huge increase in mail volume. By the late 19th century, many countries had adopted similar systems, which greatly facilitated global communication.