From the Postal Museum | Precious Packages-America's Parcel Post Service

  From the Postal Museum | Precious Packages-America's Parcel Post Service

"...Parcel Post Service became available to Americans on January 1, 1913. Farm families, having made Rural Free Delivery a nation-wide success, were especially anxious to welcome the new service. Prior to 1913, farmers had to convey their produce to the nearest town large enough to support an express office, which added to the price of transporting their goods to the city. But with the combination of RFD and Parcel Post, package service was provided right from their mailbox. ..."

Reference: postalmuseum.si.edu
 

Mail Handlers Used to Poke Holes in Envelopes to Battle Germs and Viruses

  Mail Handlers Used to Poke Holes in Envelopes to Battle Germs and Viruses

"...In the collections of the National Postal Museum and on display in the William H. Gross Stamp Gallery one such paddle that was used by the Board of Health in Montgomery, Alabama, looks more like a diabolical hairbrush than a public health safety tool. The perforating paddle was used like a hammer to poke numerous holes in envelopes in order to allow the contents to get a full measure of fumigation, the second step in sanitizing the mail..."

Reference: www.smithsonianmag.com