雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, everyone. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. In the 19th century, the introduction of the penny post in Britain revolutionized communication. Before that, letters were paid for by the recipient, and the cost depended on the distance traveled. The reform, led by Rowland Hill in 1840, introduced a uniform rate of one penny for any letter weighing up to half an ounce, regardless of distance. This made sending letters affordable for ordinary people. Interestingly, the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in the same year. However, it was only valid for one day because the red cancellation ink was difficult to see on the black stamp, leading to its quick replacement.