Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the early 19th century, mail was delivered by horse-drawn coaches, which was slow and unreliable. The introduction of the railway in the 1830s revolutionized mail delivery, cutting travel time dramatically. Later, the invention of the postage stamp in 1840 made prepayment possible, which simplified the system. However, it wasn't until the early 20th century that airmail began, initially for urgent documents. So, while rail was a major step, the real turning point for speed came with aviation.
❓ According to the lecture, what was the most significant development for speeding up mail delivery?
A. The introduction of the railway in the 1830s
B. The invention of the postage stamp in 1840
C. The use of horse-drawn coaches in the early 19th century