This text tells the story of the communications revolution spurred by the American postal system and the challenge it posed for American business, politics and cultural life.

This text tells the story of the communications revolution spurred by the American postal system and the challenge it posed for American business, politics and cultural life. From its establishment in 1775 to the commercialization of the electric telegraph in 1844 the system caused a revolution no less far-reaching then the subsequent revolutions associated with the telegraph, telephone or computer.