Dear Humans,

We’ve been learning about Zone Improvement Plan Codes. But we just call them ZIP Codes. The purpose of ZIP Codes was to make mail delivery more efficient. When we put things into code, they’re easier to share, move, and categorize.

When ZIP Codes first appeared in 1963, the postal service knew people wouldn’t want to write those five extra digits on their envelopes. So the postal service put on a big song and dance (even with a cartoon character named Mr. ZIP) to encourage people to use it.

And it was successful. And now, a ZIP Code isn’t just a five-digit number that helps get the mail out faster; it’s a number that roots us in the places that we live.

Sincerely,

Mr. Curt