The first mail-order catalog launched for seeds and more

In 1872, Aaron Montgomery Ward launched the first U.S. mail-order catalog, a single-page price list offering 163 items, including vital seeds, tools, and clothing, primarily for farmers. He leveraged expanding railroads and the postal system to deliver goods directly to rural doorsteps, bypassing expensive local stores. This innovation democratized commerce, making affordable products accessible nationwide. By 1880, his catalog grew to 240 pages, inspiring retail giants like Sears, Roebuck and Co.