Zip Codes

Zip codes, also known as postal codes, are a system of numerical codes that are used by postal services to facilitate the delivery of mail and parcels to specific locations. The history of zip codes goes back to the early 20th century when the United States Postal Service (USPS) recognized the need for a more efficient mail delivery system.

In 1943, the USPS introduced a system of postal zones that were used to expedite the delivery of mail within large cities. The system was based on a series of one or two-digit numbers that were added to the end of the city name on the address line. While this system was an improvement, it still had limitations, particularly in rural areas.

In the 1960s, the USPS embarked on a major project to develop a more comprehensive and standardized system of postal codes. The result was the introduction of the ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) code system in 1963. The ZIP code system was based on a five-digit code that could be used to identify a specific location anywhere in the United States.

Robert Moon is considered the father of the ZIP Code; he submitted his proposal in 1944 while working as a postal inspector. The phrase “zone improvement plan” is credited to D. Jamison Cain, a Postal Service executive.

The post office credits Moon with only the first three digits of the ZIP Code, which describe the sectional center facility (SCF)^[1] or “sec center”. An SCF is a central mail processing facility with those three digits. The fourth and fifth digits, which give a more precise locale within the SCF, were proposed by Henry Bentley Hahn, Sr.

In addition to standard five-digit zip codes, in 1983, the USPS introduced ZIP+4 codes, which consist of the standard five-digit code followed by four additional digits that further refine the location of a specific address.

These additional digits can help to speed up mail delivery by providing more detailed information about a particular address. city block, a group of apartments, an individual high-volume receiver of mail, a post office box, or any other unit that could use an extra identifier to aid in efficient mail sorting and delivery. However, the new format was not adopted universally by the public; it eventually became obsolete with modern technology.

Mr. Zip was a cartoon character created by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in 1963 to help promote the use of ZIP codes. The character was designed to make the concept of zip codes more accessible and easy to understand for the general public. Mr. Zip was depicted as a friendly and approachable character, with a red, white, and blue striped outfit and a large “Z” on his chest.

He was often shown carrying a large envelope or package and was used in a variety of promotional materials, including posters, ads, and educational materials. The character’s slogan, “Use Zip Code”, was widely recognized and helped to increase public awareness and understanding of the new ZIP code system. Today, Mr. Zip is still occasionally used in USPS promotional materials and is recognized as an important part of the history of the postal service.

While the term “postal code” is often used interchangeably with “zip code” in the United States, postal codes can refer to a variety of different systems used in different countries. For example, Canada uses a six-character alphanumeric postal code system, while the United Kingdom uses a system of alphanumeric codes with variable lengths.

Zip codes play a critical role in mail delivery within the United States, as they help to ensure that mail is delivered to the correct recipient promptly. They also facilitate the sorting and processing of mail within postal systems, allowing for more efficient and accurate delivery.

In popular culture, there is 90210: Beverly Hills, California.
We all know this ZIP code. The hit teen TV drama, 90210, was modeled after the glam shenanigans that occurred in this area’s manicured streets. It is also home to the Greystone Mansion, where over 50 movies were filmed.