We take many things for granted these days, not realizing how well we have it. Past generations did not have many of the conveniences that we use every day. Transportation is an area that has changed dramatically over the decades and improvements have affected many areas of life, including the speed at which we receive packages. The evolution of transportation methods has transformed the courier industry, making it faster and more convenient than ever.
The early days of the courier
Messengers have been around for hundreds of years, being the first reliable racers, horsemen, and homing pigeons to deliver messages in what was then considered to be in a timely manner. These were the days before mechanized transportation was available, so couriers on foot ran for miles to reach their destinations, with very little reward. Even the exclusive messengers of the royal courts during the Middle Ages were poorly paid for all their travels.
This industry played a prominent role in many historical events in American history, including the westward migration of settlers and the Gold Rush era. Small courier companies were established in the late 1800s, using errands to carry personal messages to homes where telephone service was not yet available. Some couriers delivered packages, luggage, or even gold. The Pony Express was later established to transport these items more quickly.
Improve motorized vehicles Messenger Service
The inventions of railways and automobiles took this industry to the next level. Once interstate highways were built, couriers could travel across the country across smooth asphalt with packages in tow. Bicycle and motorcycle couriers began to appear in large cities, transporting documents and other packages from one end of the city to the other. Ultimately, the planes were tasked with delivering packages quickly over the longest distances.
The mail order retail business and increased postal rates caused couriers to diversify and become more competitive. The lines between transportation methods blurred, with couriers providing some of the same services as trucking companies and even the US Postal Service. Larger commercial couriers increased the speed of their packages. and smaller operations offered a broader range of services to meet local needs.
Today, the courier industry is valued at roughly $ 59 billion, a figure that foot couriers never quite understood. Businesses in almost every industry use these transportation services to deliver documents and packages to each other or to customers. Millions of private consumers use couriers to transport letters, gifts, and other items with each other across the country and around the world.