Electronic Computer-Originated Mail (E-COM) was a special service offered by the U.S. Postal System through certain post offices. This innovative service allowed computer-generated messages to be sent electronically to another post office, where the messages were then printed into physical letters. These letters were inserted in special envelopes and delivered as first-class mail.
Mechanics of E-COM
How E-COM Works
- Message Creation: Users created messages on their computers.
- Electronic Transmission: These messages were transmitted electronically to designated post offices.
- Printing: The receiving post office printed the messages into physical letters.
- Enveloping: The printed letters were inserted into special envelopes.
- Delivery: Finally, these were delivered as first-class mail by the postal service.
Special Envelopes
The special envelopes used in the E-COM service featured unique markings and labels to identify them as part of the electronic message-to-mail service, ensuring proper handling and prioritization.
Historical Context
Introduction
The E-COM service was introduced during a period when computer technology began to transform traditional methods of communication. This service was among the early attempts to integrate electronic communication with physical mail delivery systems.
Evolution
While E-COM represented a significant advancement at the time, rapid technological developments have since led to more sophisticated electronic communication methods, rendering services like E-COM obsolete.
Current Applicability
Modern Equivalents
Modern equivalents of the E-COM service include email, hybrid mail services, and electronic document delivery systems offered by various postal and courier services worldwide. These modern systems are more efficient and provide faster, more reliable forms of communication.
Comparisons to Traditional Mail
Efficiency
E-COM provided more rapid delivery compared to traditional mail, as the bulk of the process leveraged electronic transmission before converting to physical form for final delivery.
Cost
The cost for utilizing E-COM was typically higher than standard mail services due to the specialized handling, printing, and enveloping stages included in the service.
Related Terms
- Hybrid Mail: Combines electronic transmission of messages with physical mail delivery, similar to E-COM but usually more advanced and integrated with current technologies.
- Email: Electronic mail service that allows messages to be sent instantly over the internet, without conversion to physical letters.
- First-Class Mail: A fast and reliable mail service, often used for personal and business communication, offering higher priority over standard mail.
FAQs
1. What was the main advantage of the E-COM service?
- The primary advantage was the faster delivery of computer-generated messages as physical mail, leveraging electronic transmission to bridge distances more quickly than traditional mail.
2. Why did E-COM become obsolete?
- Advancements in digital communication technologies, like email and hybrid mail services, offered much faster, more efficient, and cost-effective alternatives.
3. Did E-COM require special software?
- Users generally needed compatible systems and software to generate and transmit messages in a format accepted by the E-COM service.
Summary
Electronic Computer-Originated Mail (E-COM) was a pioneering service by the U.S. Postal System, designed to merge electronic communication with traditional postal services. By sending computer-generated messages electronically to specific post offices where they were printed and delivered as physical letters, E-COM showcased early attempts to enhance mail delivery speed and efficiency. Although the service has since become obsolete, its concept laid the groundwork for modern hybrid mail systems and other digital communication advancements.
References:
- U.S. Postal Service Historical Archives
- “The History of Mail Communication” by John M. Bowman
- “Evolution of Postal Services in the Digital Age” by Samantha Warner
For more detailed information on postal innovations and their evolutionary impact, explore historical postal service records and contemporary studies on postal technology advancements.
