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, recipients paid for 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 initially popular; people were skeptical about prepaying. However, within a few years, the system proved efficient and was adopted worldwide. By the 1860s, many countries had their own stamps, and the Universal Postal Union was established in 1874 to standardize international mail.