Airmail in the United States

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an examination of the history and importance of airmail, including a discussion of the Contract Airmail Act, the Air Commerce Act and airmail during World Wars I and II. The paper shows how the U.S. government's efforts to promote airmail service were directly responsible in many ways for the development and evolution of the aviation industry in the United States, in ways that continue to influence the industry today. The paper concludes that the U.S. would have been less equipped to wage both world wars in the air had it not been for these early efforts to develop and improve airmail service in the United States.

Outline:
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"In the Age of Information, many observers suggest that email, instant and text messaging have virtually replaced the need for a national postal service in the United States, but the fact remains the U.S. Postal Service continues to deliver billions of pieces of mail each year and represents the largest service of its kind in the world. Although various classes of mail receive different levels of treatment, much of the U.S. mail continues to be delivered by air following a long tradition established more than 90 years ago. Indeed, the importance of air mail service to the development of the United States cannot be overstated, having contributed to both the development of the interior portions of the country as well as promoting interest and investment in aviation research and development that continues today."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Boston, G. (2005, August 28). Historic site for aircraft; College Park Aviation Museum. The Washington Times, D04.
• De Syon, G. (2004). Airlines and air mail: The Post Office and the birth of the commercial aviation industry. Air Power History, 51(1), 56/
• Duke, J. & Torres, V. (2005). Multifactor productivity change in the air transportation industry: productivity increases in the U.S. airline industry-the nation's primary intercity mass transportation system-have played a significant role in the industry's cost-containment efforts and its ability to accelerate growth. Monthly Labor Review, 128(3), 32-34.
• Facts and figures about the Postal Service. (2008). U.S. Postal Service. [Online]. Available: http://www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/postalfacts.htm.
• Glover, J. G. & Cornell, W. B. (1941). The development of American industries, their economic significance. New York: Prentice-Hall.

More papers on Airmail in the United States:

• Research Paper # 5869 : "The Growing Hispanic Population in the United States"
• Research Paper # 62026 : "Homelessness in the United States"
• Term Paper # 108691 : "Terrorism in the United States"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: