Envelopes are part of everyday life for many Postal Service employees, but have you ever wondered where they came from?
The industry trade publication Mailing Systems Technology recently chronicled the history of envelopes, noting the Babylonians used them in 2000 B.C. to protect documents.
The article also cites evidence of envelope usage in biblical times.
According to the Book of Esther, King Ahasuerus summoned Queen Vashti to an important gathering, but she refused to attend. The king was furious and distributed a proclamation in multiple languages stating that “men should bare rule in their house, and women should obey.”
Queen Vashti was promptly removed, making Esther the new queen.
“You might say that Esther was, in effect, the first to benefit from a direct mail campaign,” the article notes.