The first British mail coach revolutionized communication on this day in 1784
The delivery of news and letters was forever changed in 1784 when a single horse-drawn carriage sprinted from Bristol to London, launching Britain's first high-speed mail service.
On this day in 1784, the first British mail coach completed its maiden journey from Bristol to London in just 16 hours. Before this innovation, post was carried by sluggish 'post-boys' on horseback who were frequent targets for highwaymen. John Palmer's new system used heavily guarded, fast-moving coaches that ran on a strict, synchronized schedule.
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