Zoning Improvement Plan – 50th Anniversary of ZIP Code

Happy anniversary to Mr. Zip!

50 years ago today, the Zoning Improvement Plan went into effect. This was not the first time Post Office Department used a system of postal zoning. According to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum Web site, a system of postal zoning was implemented in 1943., due to the increase of mail sent in the midst of World War II.

Mr. Zip was created to convince a reluctant public to add 5-digits to the end of addresses when sending a letter.

I went to the Quincy Post Office this morning expecting to see something celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the ZIP Code. I saw no streamers, no banners, and no cake. I asked Barb behind the counter for me free piece of cake. She didn't know that today was a special day in the history of mail delivery.