The postal service has long been a cornerstone of communication and commerce, but some people have pushed the boundaries of what can be mailed to absurd extremes. From living creatures to inanimate objects of enormous proportions, the history of mail delivery is peppered with bizarre attempts that challenge our imagination. Let’s dive into the wild world of unconventional mailings and explore 12 of the craziest things people have actually tried to send through the post.
1. Children
Believe it or not, there was a time when mailing children was not explicitly forbidden. In the early 1900s, some parents took advantage of this loophole in postal regulations. One of the most famous cases occurred in 1914 when 5-year-old May Pierstorff was mailed from Grangeville to Lewiston, Idaho for a mere 53 cents. The young girl traveled in a mail train car, accompanied by her cousin who worked for the railway mail service.
This wasn’t an isolated incident. Reports of other child mailings surfaced, including a 10-pound baby boy in Ohio and a small girl in Pennsylvania. The practice became so prevalent that in 1915, the Postmaster General had to issue a directive explicitly prohibiting the mailing of human beings. Despite this, a few more incidents occurred, including a 14-pound baby mailed in Maryland and a 6-year-old girl sent from Florida to Virginia.
2. Live Animals
While it may seem outrageous today, there was a time when mailing live animals was not uncommon. In the early days of parcel post, people attempted to send all sorts of creatures through the mail. One particularly interesting case involved a live lobster and live shrimp being mailed from New York City to Philadelphia. Imagine the surprise of the postal workers handling that package!
But it wasn’t just sea creatures that found their way into the postal system. There are reports of a brindle bulldog being delivered in a crate to the Yonkers, New York post office. In a more exotic case, a man from Ohio successfully mailed his pet chameleon to Florida in 1954. Upon arrival, the Postmaster in Orlando decided to release the colorful lizard on the post office grounds, giving it a new lease on life in the Sunshine State.
3. An Entire Bank Building
In what could be described as one of the most audacious attempts to use the postal service, a businessman named W.H. Coltharp decided to mail an entire building – brick by brick. In 1917, Coltharp used the parcel post service to ship over 80,000 masonry bricks for the construction of a bank building in Vernal, Utah.
This creative use of the postal system was so unexpected that it prompted the Postmaster General to clarify that the postal service was not intended for shipping entire buildings. Coltharp’s ingenious (albeit questionable) method of construction led to new regulations limiting the weight of packages that could be sent through the mail. Today, you’d need a lot more than stamps to build your dream home!
4. A Human Being in a Box
In one of the most daring and desperate uses of the postal system, a slave named Henry “Box” Brown literally mailed himself to freedom. In 1849, Brown shipped himself in a wooden crate from Richmond, Virginia to abolitionists in Philadelphia. This harrowing journey to escape slavery took 27 hours, during which Brown had to remain silent and motionless to avoid detection.
Brown’s incredible story highlights both the ingenuity of those seeking freedom and the potential of the postal system to be used in unexpected ways. While we certainly don’t recommend anyone try this today, Brown’s bravery and creativity in using the mail as a means of liberation have secured his place in history. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the lengths people will go to for freedom and the unintended uses of everyday systems.
5. Disease Samples
In a practice that would undoubtedly raise eyebrows (and hazmat alarms) today, there was a time when mailing disease samples was not out of the ordinary. In 1895, the New York Post Office handled shipments that included samples of diseases like smallpox, diphtheria, and scarlet fever. These potentially deadly packages were sent by physicians for research and diagnostic purposes.
Along with these alarming disease samples, the postal service also dealt with shipments of dead birds and small animals. While this practice may seem reckless by today’s standards, it played a crucial role in medical research and disease control efforts of the time. Thankfully, modern regulations and specialized courier services now handle the transport of biological samples, keeping our regular mail disease-free!
6. A Coffin
In what must have been a macabre surprise for postal workers, someone once attempted to mail a coffin. This unusual package was sent from Zanesville, Ohio, though the exact date and circumstances of this eerie mailing are unclear. One can only imagine the reactions of the postal workers who had to handle this oversized and somber parcel.
While the reasons behind mailing a coffin remain a mystery, it’s possible that it was an attempt to save on funeral expenses or transport costs. Whatever the motivation, this incident certainly pushed the boundaries of what’s considered acceptable to send through the mail. It’s safe to say that modern postal regulations would likely prevent such a grave delivery from happening today.
7. The Hope Diamond
In a move that would make modern security experts gasp, the famous Hope Diamond was once sent through regular mail. In 1958, New York jeweler Harry Winston mailed the priceless gem to the Smithsonian Institution. This 45.52-carat blue diamond, valued at over $1 million at the time (and worth much more today), was simply wrapped in brown paper and sent via registered first-class mail.
The total cost for mailing this invaluable piece of history? A mere $145.29, of which only $2.44 was for postage. The rest covered the insurance – arguably a bargain for one of the world’s most famous jewels. This daring delivery highlights the trust placed in the postal system and serves as a testament to a time when such valuable items could be sent with relative simplicity and security.
8. A Deer Tibia
In an experiment that pushed the boundaries of what the postal service would accept, a team of researchers from Improbable Research magazine decided to test the limits of mail delivery. Among the bizarre items they attempted to send was a deer tibia – yes, an actual bone from a deer’s leg. This unusual package was part of a larger experiment conducted in 2000, where the team mailed a variety of strange objects to see what would successfully make it through the postal system.
Surprisingly, the deer tibia, along with other odd items like a single ski and even a human molar, were all successfully delivered. These items took between 9 to 14 days to reach their destinations, proving that the postal service was capable of handling even the most unexpected parcels. This experiment not only tested the limits of the mail system but also highlighted the dedication of postal workers in ensuring that all mail, no matter how strange, reaches its intended recipient.
9. Rancid Cheese
In the same experiment that saw a deer tibia successfully mailed, the researchers also decided to push the olfactory limits of the postal service. They included a package of rancid cheese in their array of bizarre mailings. This pungent parcel was part of the 2000 study by Improbable Research magazine, designed to test just how far they could push the envelope, quite literally.
Amazingly, the rancid cheese made its journey through the postal system successfully, albeit likely leaving a trail of bewildered and possibly nauseated postal workers in its wake. This malodorous mailing serves as a testament to the resilience and dedication of postal employees, who continued to do their job despite the undoubtedly unpleasant nature of the package. It also raises questions about the limits of what can be considered acceptable to mail, even if it’s technically not prohibited.
10. A Human Foot
In a truly bizarre and disturbing incident, someone once attempted to mail a human body part through the postal system. A severed human foot was mailed to the office of then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Canada. This macabre package was discovered in 2012, shocking postal workers and government officials alike.
As if one human body part wasn’t disturbing enough, a second package containing a human hand was later discovered in the postal system. These grisly mailings were eventually linked to a criminal case, highlighting how the postal service can sometimes become an unwitting participant in criminal activities. This incident led to increased scrutiny of mail screening procedures and serves as a grim reminder of the potential misuse of postal services for nefarious purposes.
11. Coconuts
In a delightful twist on traditional postcards, some creative individuals have taken to mailing whole coconuts. This practice is particularly popular in Hawaii, where the Hoolehua Post Office on the island of Molokai offers a unique “Post-a-Nut” program. Visitors can purchase coconuts, decorate them, and then mail them to friends and family around the world.
This quirky mailing option has become so popular that it now accounts for a significant portion of the Hoolehua Post Office’s revenue. The coconuts are sent as-is, without any additional packaging, making for a truly tropical surprise when they arrive at their destination. It’s a fun and eco-friendly way to send a piece of paradise to loved ones, and it certainly beats a run-of-the-mill postcard!
12. A Single Ski
In yet another example from the Improbable Research magazine’s 2000 experiment, the team decided to mail a single ski. This odd choice of mail was part of their study to test the limits of what the postal service would accept and successfully deliver. The lone ski, along with other unusual items, made its way through the postal system, arriving at its destination within two weeks.
The successful delivery of a single ski raises interesting questions about the practicality and environmental impact of shipping large, awkwardly-shaped items. While it’s certainly possible to mail such objects, it’s worth considering whether it’s the most efficient or eco-friendly option. Nevertheless, this experiment demonstrated the flexibility and capability of the postal service in handling unconventional packages, even if they’re as odd as half of a pair of skis.
From children to coconuts, the history of mail delivery is filled with surprising and sometimes shocking attempts to push the boundaries of what can be mailed. These bizarre incidents not only provide amusing anecdotes but also highlight the evolving nature of postal regulations and the incredible adaptability of mail services. While many of these unusual mailings would be prohibited today, they serve as a testament to human creativity and the essential role of postal services in connecting people and ideas, no matter how strange.
As we reflect on these peculiar postal adventures, it’s clear that the mail system has been used for far more than just letters and packages. It has been a vehicle for freedom, a tool for scientific research, and even an unwitting accomplice in criminal activities. From the heartwarming story of mailing coconuts to the unsettling tale of shipped body parts, these incidents remind us of the vital role postal services play in our society and the trust we place in them. So the next time you drop a letter in the mailbox, remember: you’re participating in a system with a truly extraordinary history.
