A long time ago, people did not have a system of writing. They were uncivilized, lived in caves and used skins of animals as clothing. They hunted and fished and ate wild fruits in the forests.
These primitive men managed to send word to each other although they did not know how to write. Sometimes they had to warn other groups about dangerous animals in the forests or some enemy tribes nearby. Let us see what these primitive men used as means of communications.
These men used smoke signals, tom-toms and stick messages as chief means of communication. The other party to whom the smoke signals are sent read the messages coming up from the source of the signals. Short columns of smoke coming up one after another may mean danger.
Signals made by tom-toms were done by beating drums usually made from the skins of wild animals. Different groups of men within hearing distance of each other beat these primitive drums according to certain signals known to them. They could tell each other about danger, war and even about the visit of one of their leaders or chief. They could announce marriages, deaths or births, or other interesting events.
Stick messages were used as means of communication by people of long ago. Different kinds of sticks meant different messages and the receiver could read these “stick messages”.
The first form of writing developed by wise men from the East was a great help to the people. People began writing letters to their relatives and friends. It lead to the organization of the first mail service. It was carried on by runner or horsemen who carried letters from place to place.
The King of Persia, known as Darius the Great, organized the first letter post office. He had conquered many countries, and formed a great kingdom. Darius formed groups of fast horsemen to deliver his massages throughout his great kingdom which stretched from India in Asia down to Egypt in Africa.
Darius’ system was followed by Chinese emperors and rulers of European countries like the kings of Rome.
Some royal families made use of their slaves and servants to send their letters. These slaves delivered the letters of their masters to the persons they were meant for. However, sending letters through travelers was not always reliable because they sometimes got killed in their journeys or lost the letters as they traveled from place to place.
However, only kings, queens and princesses, lords and other state officials could send letters to one another. The poor people could not afford to send letters.
Later, the government of different countries established their own postal system. Royal messengers of kings and queens of England, France and Spain were allowed to carry private letters. A postmaster in England established a postal service between different countries. This sytem of carrying mail from country to country was enlarged. European countries were included and later America.
Different inventions resulted in faster communications for mankind. Among these were the steam engines for trains and steamships and gas engine for the airplane. These better means of transportation resulted in faster ways of sending letters to all people.
The new age for sending letters at last came about. Today, anybody could send a properly stamped letter to anyone in any part of the world just by dropping it in the mailbox. People could communicate faster much closer to each other, and this has contributed to the progress of nations all over the world.
