Good morning, class. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Many people believe that the first postal system was invented by the Romans, but actually, it was the Persians who established an efficient courier network around 550 BC. However, the system we recognize today, with stamps and standardized rates, originated in Britain in 1840 with the Penny Black. Interestingly, the first airmail service began in 1911 in India, not in the United States as some might assume. So, when you think about the evolution of mail, remember that each era contributed unique innovations.