Why was the post box invented?

Why was the post box invented?

In the mid-19th century, a British post office inspector sent to the Channel Islands noticed there were no post offices for people who lived in distant parts of town. To overcome this inconvenience, he invented the post box, which could be set up anywhere and would be emptied by post office staff on a regular basis.

When was the Victorian post box invented?

1852
His scheme began in the Channel Islands in 1852 and was extended to the mainland in 1853. Since these Victorian beginnings, boxes have usually carried the insignia, or cipher, of the monarch reigning at the time of placement.

Why are post boxes red in England?

Firstly their colour: many of the UK’s earliest boxes were painted green to blend in with the landscape, but were repainted the famous ‘pillar box red’ by 1884 to increase visibility. Their second shared feature is their insignia, or marking, of the monarch reigning when the box was placed.

What did the first post box look like?

The first pillar boxes In basic form all boxes were vertical ‘pillars’ with a small slit to receive letters. There the similarities ended. By 1857 horizontal, rather than vertical, apertures were taken as a standard.

Did the Victorians invent the post box?

In 1856, Richard Redgrave of the Department of Science and Art designed an ornate pillar box for use in London and other large cities. In 1859 the design was improved, and this became the first National Standard pillar box. Green was adopted as the standard colour for the early Victorian post boxes.

Who invent the post box?

The first letter box (where the public could leave its letters) sanctioned by the United States Postal Service was patented on March 9, 1858 by Albert Potts. His design incorporated the lampposts that his company made with a letter box. His receptacle was rather small and required frequent emptying.

Who designed the post box?

The first postbox was conceived by Anthony Trollope who was working as a surveyor’s clerk for the Post Office in the 1850s.

Who invented the post box in Victorian times?

Who created the post box?

In 1856, Richard Redgrave of the Department of Science and Art designed an ornate pillar box for use in London and other large cities. In 1859 the design was improved, and this became the first National Standard pillar box.

Where is the oldest post box?

The oldest pillar boxes still in use by the Royal Mail are at Framlingham in Suffolk; this pair were founded by Andrew Handyside and Company of Derby in 1856 and are at Double Street and College Road.

What did Victorian post boxes look like?

Green was adopted as the standard colour for the early Victorian post boxes. Between 1866 and 1879 the hexagonal Penfold post box became the standard design for pillar boxes and it was during this period that red was first adopted as the standard colour.

What was the first post box in the Victorian era?

Victorian Post Boxes. Rowland Hill started the Penny Post in 1840. The first stamps were issued in May 1840 – the Penny Black Stamp and the Two Pence Blue. Initially all post was handled through the Post offices alone, but by 1852 pillar boxes were being introduced.

How did letter boxes change in the Victorian era?

Necessary modifications were made to the aperture, or mouth of the letter box, as the service progressed. Early Victorian boxes had vertical apertures; however the horizontal aperture became standard and rather than remain in the body of the pillar box, it was moved to the door to prevent letters getting stuck in the roof of the box.

Why was the British post box painted red?

Initially British post boxes were painted green but in 1874 the standard bright red colour was chosen to aid visibility, as some people complained that the green pillar boxes were difficult to find. Only post boxes of special interest are normally allowed to divert from the red body with the black base.

Where was the first letter box in Britain?

Victorian Letter Boxes Most houses in Britain have a letter box in the front door, usually a simple slot with a flap over it, through which the post is delivered each morning. The Post Office first encouraged people to provide these in 1849. In 1840 Rowland Hill suggested the idea of roadside letter boxes for Britain.