The 1840 launch of the Penny Black revolutionized how the world sends mail
The introduction of the Penny Black in 1840 shifted the cost of postage from the recipient to the sender, transforming global communication into an affordable right for the common person.
Before 1840, sending a letter was a luxury. Postage was calculated by distance and the number of sheets, with the recipient usually forced to pay a high fee upon delivery. This changed forever when the United Kingdom issued the Penny Black, the world's first adhesive postage stamp.
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