雅思听力

🎧 Listening Transcript

Good morning, class. Today we're going to discuss the history of the postal service. Many people assume that postal systems were invented in the 19th century, but in fact, they date back much further. The earliest known postal system was in ancient Persia around 500 BC, where messengers on horseback delivered royal decrees. However, it was the Romans who developed a more organized network, with relay stations every 10 miles. In the 16th century, the British royal mail became accessible to the public, not just the king. Interestingly, the first adhesive postage stamp, the Penny Black, was introduced in Britain in 1840, which revolutionized mail delivery by making it affordable for ordinary people.