Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Zip Codes



Finally!  An A-Z Challenge where "Z" was an easy one! :)
According to the USPS, Zip codes were developed in the early 1960s as a way to more accurately and specifically sort mail for delivery.  ("Zip" stands for "Zoning Improvement Plan") July 1 will be the 50th anniversary of the Zip Code system!
My first digit (3) represents the Southeast region.  The second two numbers (01), represent the main population area within that region- in my case, Georgia, followed by the beautiful city of Atlanta.  The final two numbers (87) zero in on my local post office.

Maybe I was drilled very well in how to address an envelope when I was in school, but it has always astounded me that people forget to include the zip code sometimes.  To me that's like not addressing it at all! LOL

Here are some interesting Zip Codes I found:

  • General Electric in Schenectady, NY has a unique zip code in sequential order: 12345
  • Detroit, MI has a mail boat called the JW Westcott that delivers to ships in the Detroit River.  It has its own zip code of 48222.
  • The public knows the White House zip code to be 20500, but there is actually a secret zip + 4 for the President and First Family to get private mail.
  • New York's World Trade Center complex had its own zip code of 10048 before it was destroyed on 9/11/2001
  • My own beloved city of Savannah, GA's zip code is the first few numbers of Pi: 31415

9 comments:

  1. Here in the UK our nationwide postcode system started in 1959, branching out across the country until completed in 1974.

    However, London (and the suburbs of Greater London) has had a postal district coding system since 1857!
    :-o

    I really must get your address from Rachel and send you a letter, Jenny! ;-)

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    1. I would LOVE a letter from you!!! If you do get the itch to send one, could I have a Pride and Prejudice stamp?? LOL I have Emma and Northanger Abbey. I'd be thrilled to trade for something we have that you want, though I don't know of any knitting themed stamps- just the new seed packet ones. ;)

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    2. PS- I'm sending you a PM on Facebook...

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  2. Here's another strange one: Emerson, GA is 30137. Add up the first four and you get 7!! (3+0+1+3=7)

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    1. Hey, I didn't know you had a blog and read TMP!
      That is a pretty cool zip code! :)

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  3. Learn something new every day. They changed our zip code about a year after we moved here...thought that was weird, but it worked. HAPPY MAY DAY, Jenny! Tanya

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  4. My friend and I were just talking about zip codes the other day. I grew up saying my zip code number by number (three-one-oh-four-seven). But in NYC, people say "one thousand three." It threw me at first!

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    1. Bizarre! I guess with the drawl we just say things longer here in the south! LOL

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