Скачать или смотреть 0000325 - The Sticky Origin of the Postage Stamp

In the early days of postal services, sending a letter was a costly affair, often requiring the recipient to pay the postage due upon delivery. This system was cumbersome and inefficient, as it often led to disputes and delays.

Enter James Chalmers, a Scottish businessman with a revolutionary idea. In 1834, Chalmers devised a simple yet ingenious solution: the postage stamp. He proposed using small, adhesive labels that could be affixed to letters, prepaying the postage and eliminating the need for cash on delivery.

Chalmers' idea was initially met with skepticism, but he persisted, eventually convincing the British government to adopt his system. On May 6, 1840, the world's first postage stamp, the Penny Black, was issued in London.

The Penny Black was a resounding success. Not only did it simplify the postal process, but it also reduced postage costs significantly, making letter writing more accessible to the general public. The stamp featured a profile of Queen Victoria and became an iconic symbol of British ingenuity.

However, the adhesive used on the Penny Black left much to be desired. It was made from a mixture of gum arabic and water, which tended to become brittle and easily damaged in transit. Consequently, many stamps were lost or rendered unusable.

To address this issue, inventors experimented with various adhesives. One notable innovation was the use of dextrin, a starch-based adhesive that had superior bonding properties. Dextrin became the standard for stamp adhesives and is still widely employed today.

The introduction of the postage stamp had a profound impact on communication. It facilitated the exchange of letters and information on a global scale, fostering social connections and economic development. Moreover, the development of adhesive technology for postage stamps paved the way for countless other applications in packaging, labeling, and manufacturing.