Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, before the introduction of postage stamps, the recipient usually paid for the mail, not the sender. This system was inefficient because people often refused to accept letters they didn't want, leaving the post office with unpaid costs. In 1840, the United Kingdom introduced the Penny Post, which shifted the cost to the sender. This reform, led by Sir Rowland Hill, simplified the process and increased the volume of mail dramatically. Interestingly, the first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, featured a portrait of Queen Victoria.