Chris Blattman

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Cartooning like a state

1d_ZIP_code_comic-1

Today is the 51st anniversary of the Zone Improvement Plan, a.k.a. the ZIP Code.

The Post Office Department launched an advertising campaign in support of the new service, encouraging Americans to adapt the practice of adding five numbers to each mailing address. ZIP Codes appeared at a time when Americans were already juggling the new area codes and needing to remember their social security numbers on a more regular basis.

Understanding that the public would be reluctant to add more numbers to their daily memory banks, the Department planned a multi-stage publicity campaign aimed at making Americans more comfortable with the new coding system. A major part of the campaign was the use of Mr. Zip, an odd, yet friendly cartoon character who was used to personalize the ZIP Code campaign.

From the Postal Museum.

The postal system used to be a major way states would organize their societies and make them more legible. What’s the equivalent today in low and middle income countries, where mail is exceptional?

I fear the answer might (soon) be “using US and Chinese technology to record and analyze all phone and email conversations.”

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