The Invention Of Mailbox

If the mailbox has not been invented, how would people receive mail? Perhaps, you would still be making runs to the post office. A mailbox is a box which is set for the public to slot in their mails to be collected by the post office for mailing.

Before its invention, people must go to the post office to send or pick up mail. In the 1600s, there were places in France where people can put mail in to be sent off. On the other hand, people in the United States began having doorstep mailboxes in the 1800s.

The Man Behind The Mailbox’s Invention

It was in 1891 that the mailbox was invented by Paul Downing. This metal box design with 4 legs was patented as the “Street Letter Box” on October 27, 1891. Such contribution has made it convenient for people to receive mail or to drop off mail to the post office. Usually, it was mounted on a post at the entrance of one’s property or the post office. This invention is considered the predecessor of today’s mailbox.

He also came up with another type of letterbox, which is meant specifically for sending letters out. This is actually best known for its security. Big blue boxes on the streets were actually made with a hinge on the door that closed in order to protect mail from being stolen once it’s placed in the box.

Today, his design has generated lots of modern mailboxes.

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