What is the ZIP code? Definition and history

Often foreign websites with user registration, requesting a ZIP code. How to decipher the abbreviation, not everyone knows. What is the ZIP code? How he came and for what reasons? About this we and tell in our article.

What is the ZIP code?

ZIP code stands for Zone Improvement Plan, which translated to English means "zone improvement plan". ZIP codes – it is the postcode system in the United States. They speed up the delivery process and sort mail and perform the same functions as the Russian indexes. Unlike habitual to us six digits of ZIP code USA consists of nine, and they are written with a hyphen, such as 12345-6789.

History of the emergence of a system of postal codes in the USA

The Postal system of the United States began using postal codes in the forties of the last century. They were then two-digit and meant postal district within the boundaries of one city.

Already in the sixties in the country there is a need for a more fleshed out system. From the beginning of July 1963, she was launched in test mode. Its Creator was Robert moon, an employee of the office of the U.S. postal service. I wonder what the world could learn in 1944 that such a ZIP code, when Robert, being a mere postal inspector, has developed this classifier.

ZIP code at that time consisted of five characters where the first three denotes the center sorting letters, parcels and packages, and the last two – the number of the post office, where they had to be delivered. Since 1967 the system of ZIP-indexing was made mandatory throughout the United States. At that time in America, on TV screens, there was even a funny cartoon character Mr. Zip-or Zippy, calling on citizens not to ignore the new system.

In 1983 it had to complicate and add another four digits, specifying the place where I was supposed to deliver shipment, e.g. residential complex, quarter, Department, company or organization.

Talking about what a ZIP code, not to mention that US government agencies use the special number. These indexes of five or nine digits cannot possess none of the users of postal services in the district.