Society is constantly shifting and evolving. New fashion fads, breakthrough medications, and the pursuit of further ease and convenience are some examples. Another interesting example is communication. Millions of people communicate in hundreds of languages every day. However, without the help of the postal service, telegrams, tools, technology, and the invention of the phone and internet, we wouldn’t be able to communicate as quickly as we do or from all corners of the globe.
At first glance, this mystery object looks like a scale. You’d be correct if that’s what you guessed. This vintage item is a cool piece of history that was once used to weigh parcels and letters at the post office. Of course, the postal service still uses scales; they operate differently nowadays. First, the parcel was placed on the scale, an “analog mechanism that included balances and springs.” Then, a price was determined based on the weight. They weren’t 100% effective and have since been replaced by newer scales.
These days, the postal service in the U.S. only uses the scale for packages that don’t fit in their standard rate boxes. Otherwise, the price varies by size but customers pay a flat fee for each box. Meanwhile, shipping companies like DHL and FedEx charge by weight, still regularly using scales.
New Technology
Furthermore, the scales used by these mailing services are more up-to-date than the old models and differ in appearance. They’re typically large metal squares or rectangles with a digital reader for the weight. Unsurprisingly, this design wasn’t only used for weighing parcels at the post office. Rather, it was also the model for food scales found in some kitchens and grocery stores.
Before the Scale
The post office didn’t begin using the scale until 1845 but before that, mail pricing was chaotic and a “complicated cost structure.” The price was based on the number of letters or packages, and the distance to their destination. After the scale entered the scene, the Act of March 3, 1863, was implemented, banning the cost of postage from being impacted by the distance.
Holidays Bring Chaos
Decorated Merry Christmas table with gifts boxes in warehouse interior background. Many presents wrapped with red ribbons and letters on a desk in storage. Xmas postal shipping delivery concept.
Today, fewer and fewer people send handwritten notes or cards. Instead, they keep in touch through social media or text, e-mail, and phone calls. However, the holidays are often a busy time for the post office, and people flock to send gifts to children and grandchildren. In the spirit of giving, we send toys and goods to children in other parts of the world so they, too, can enjoy the holidays. Without mailing services like the post office, spreading holiday cheer wouldn’t be possible, and the scale plays an important role in some facilities. Not only do some still use scales to determine the cost. The scales also serve delivery drivers and package handlers to gauge how to handle the package or if they’ll need help with delivery.
An Everchanging Society
Scales aren’t the only thing to change throughout civilization. For example, communities built their homes from scratch using the materials around them such as wood, grass, mud, and stones. However, today’s homes are built of manufactured materials and by large-scale companies. Another example of change is fashion, which seemingly always comes back if you wait long enough. Lastly, the way people communicate has changed. Ancient tablets and scrolls have been found, proving people have been communicating with one another for centuries. However, in 14 AD, the Romans developed a postal service, deemed the “first well-documented mail delivery system.” Since then, people have sent telegrams and e-mails and now stay in touch on social media.
Moreover, phones were once mounted to the wall and now we have them in our pockets wherever we go. We live in a society that is always advancing and changing. However, it’s fun to look at vintage items we no longer use and it helps us fully grasp how far we’ve come.
Source: secretlifeofmom
