when did the us start using zip codes
1963
title: ZIP Code text: was originally registered as a servicemark by the U.S. Postal Service, but its registration has since expired. The early history and context of postal codes began with postal district/zone numbers. The United States Post Office Department (USPOD) implemented postal zones for numerous large cities in 1943. For example: Mr. John Smith 3256 Epiphenomenal Avenue Minneapolis "16", Minnesota The "16" was the number of the postal zone from the specific city. By the early 1960s, a more organized system was needed, and non-mandatory five-digit ZIP Codes were introduced nationwide on July 1, 1963. The USPOD issued its "Publication 59: Abbreviations for title: Postal code text: least as early as the 1920s, possibly implemented at the local post office level only (for example, instances of "Boston 9, Mass" in 1920 are attested,) although they were evidently not used throughout all major US cities (implemented USPOD-wide) until World War II. By 1930 or earlier the idea of extending postal district or zone numbering plans beyond large cities to cover even small towns and rural locales was in the air. These developed into postal codes as they are defined today. The name of US postal codes, "ZIP codes", reflects this evolutionary growth from a zone plan to a title: ZIP Code text: ZIP Code A ZIP Code is a postal code used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in a system it introduced in 1963. The term "ZIP" is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan; it was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently and quickly (zipping along) when senders use the code in the postal address. The basic format consists of five digits. An extended ZIP+4 code was introduced in 1983 which includes the five digits of the ZIP Code, followed by a hyphen and four additional digits that reference a more specific location. The term "ZIP Code" title: ZIP Code text: pump or vending machines. ZIP Code A ZIP Code is a postal code used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in a system it introduced in 1963. The term "ZIP" is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan; it was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently and quickly (zipping along) when senders use the code in the postal address. The basic format consists of five digits. An extended ZIP+4 code was introduced in 1983 which includes the five digits of the ZIP Code, followed by a hyphen and four additional digits that reference a more specific location. title: ZIP Code text: afternoon, where the mail is sorted overnight. In the cases of large cities, the last two digits coincide with the older postal zone number thus: <poem>Mr. John Smith 3256 Epiphenomenal Avenue Minneapolis, MN 554"16"</poem> In 1967, these became mandatory for second and third-class bulk mailers, and the system was soon adopted generally. The United States Post Office used a cartoon character which it called Mr. ZIP to promote the use of the ZIP Code. He was often depicted with a legend such as "USE ZIP CODE" in the selvage of panes of postage stamps or on the covers of booklet