Matching Wits with the Post Office, Circa 1957

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ModernMechanix.com is publishing a reprint from a 1957 issue of Popular Science. It shows how mail was delivered, including underground pneumatic tubes in New York City. The article even mentions people like me who mess around with the system:

Then there are wags who like to match wits with the post office. Some address letters in Morse code, in musical notes or by telephone numbers (the latter are ignored). The chemically minded use such tricks as H20 Town for Watertown.

You can mail almost anything. Some articles are barred, however, such as poisons, explosives and live animals, except honeybees, day-old chicks, alligators under 20 inches, and “other harmless creatures expected to reach their destination in good condition.”

Wow! I’m participating in a time-honored tradition.

Check out What Happens When You Mail A Letter

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