Couriers Through History

It’s a smooth and technologically driven process to have your parcels delivered today, but it wasn’t always like this. Even though the delivery method has changed, the core mission of delivering efficiently, safely and in a timely manner remains the same.

The word courier is derived from the Latin for “run”. This was the original way to deliver messages by runner. In ancient times, runners delivered important messages. In ancient Egypt, messages were written on papyrus and, even earlier, clay carvings were used.

In the 6th century BC, the Persians invented the most efficient way to transport messages. As necessity is said to be the mother of inventions, the growing Persian empire was in need of this effective communication.

Message delivery was also essential for trade and it became more important in ancient times with the advent of sailing ships and riverboats. Horse riders and animals were used to deliver goods. As early as the ancient Greeks, homing pigeons had been used. We relied heavily on animals before cars were invented. Australia used camels for mail delivery until 1929. Dog Sleds were used to deliver parcels in Alaska and Canada until 1963.

The Industrial Revolution saw the greatest improvements in delivery services. Steam power, trains and canals allowed for much larger loads to be transported and reach their destinations faster.

The invention of aircraft and vehicles made it easier to trade globally. Once trucks started to appear, courier companies could start trading. For Used Vans for sale Hereford for your courier business, consider https://cotswoldvancentre.co.uk/buy/used-vans-for-sale/hereford.The freight services were then expanded to include aircraft.

With the advent of the internet, the process has become even faster and easier. The automated booking system can process huge volumes of data instantly, allowing consignments to be handled more efficiently from anywhere on the planet. The modern transport network is the most technologically advanced in human history.