Envelopes: A Revolution in Communication
Just as with the development of Morse code and the internet protocol, standards have done much to revolutionize communications.
Mix and Match
Standardized envelopes drove the possibility businesses could buy paper from one supplier and envelopes from another confident they can be mixed and matched to create the perfect effect, whether it be a wedding invitation or a direct mail campaign.
Don't Hesitate to Automate
Perhaps the biggest benefit from standardized envelopes is that it will permit automation. A standard number 10 envelope means machines can be built to automatically fold letters, insert letters in envelopes, seal them and automate sorting and distribution - all this dramatically improves the economics of mail distribution. Due to the benefits of automation, this is the reason the post office charges extra postage for odd-proportion envelopes.
Which Standard is Which?
Eventhough the benefits of standards is obvious, there isn't a universal, worldwide standard. The International Standards Organization has one standard based on the metric system and North America has another. The ISO defines 12 envelope sizes and the North American standard defines 13. The U.S. and Candian postal systems can't automatically sort ISO-sized envelopes but their delivery is guaranteed through an agreement with the Universal Postal Union.
Yummy, Yummy, Gummy, Gummy
The latest innovation in envelopes parralles the innovation in stamps: peel-and-stick or pressure sensitive adhesive like that used on Post-Its. This new innovation has addressed the new sanitary concerns that arose following the anthrax attack following 9/11.
Standing in the Window
One of the most important innovation in envelopes was the development of the window envelope beginning in 1905. While there isn't either an ISO or North American standard for the window envelope, the benefits of using a window envelope far outweight the liability.
Thanks to standardized envelopes, it's less expensive to create mail that gets delivered faster.
Mix and Match
Standardized envelopes drove the possibility businesses could buy paper from one supplier and envelopes from another confident they can be mixed and matched to create the perfect effect, whether it be a wedding invitation or a direct mail campaign.
Don't Hesitate to Automate
Perhaps the biggest benefit from standardized envelopes is that it will permit automation. A standard number 10 envelope means machines can be built to automatically fold letters, insert letters in envelopes, seal them and automate sorting and distribution - all this dramatically improves the economics of mail distribution. Due to the benefits of automation, this is the reason the post office charges extra postage for odd-proportion envelopes.
Which Standard is Which?
Eventhough the benefits of standards is obvious, there isn't a universal, worldwide standard. The International Standards Organization has one standard based on the metric system and North America has another. The ISO defines 12 envelope sizes and the North American standard defines 13. The U.S. and Candian postal systems can't automatically sort ISO-sized envelopes but their delivery is guaranteed through an agreement with the Universal Postal Union.
Yummy, Yummy, Gummy, Gummy
The latest innovation in envelopes parralles the innovation in stamps: peel-and-stick or pressure sensitive adhesive like that used on Post-Its. This new innovation has addressed the new sanitary concerns that arose following the anthrax attack following 9/11.
Standing in the Window
One of the most important innovation in envelopes was the development of the window envelope beginning in 1905. While there isn't either an ISO or North American standard for the window envelope, the benefits of using a window envelope far outweight the liability.
Thanks to standardized envelopes, it's less expensive to create mail that gets delivered faster.