ZIP Code

The ZIP Code system (an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan^[1]) is the system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The term ZIP was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently and quickly^[2] (zipping along) when senders include the code in the postal address. ZIP Code and ZIP+4 are registered trademarks of the United States Postal Service, which also registered ZIP Code as a service mark until 1997.^[3]

Introduced on July 1, 1963, the basic format comprised five digits, the first designating a region of the country and subsequent digits localizing the destination further.^[4]^[5]^[6] In 1983, an extended code was introduced named ZIP+4; it included the five digits of the ZIP Code, followed by a hyphen and four digits that designated a location even more specific than the original five.

Private carriers and the USPS use ZIP Codes to route deliveries. In addition, ZIP Codes have become a basis for breaking down demographic, marketing, and sales data for analytical purposes.

^ Curtin, Abby. "Flashing Across the Country: Mr. Zip and the ZIP Code Promotional Campaign". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
^ "The Untold Story of the ZIP Code" (PDF). U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. April 1, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2020. When Day unveiled the nationwide 5-digit ZIP Code at a postmasters' convention in October of 1962, he simultaneously introduced the world to 'Mr. ZIP'—the cartoon character whose body language symbolizes speedy delivery.
^ "Latest Status Info". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
^ "Post office readies new area mailing code". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 30, 1963. p. 9.
^ "ZIP Code is labeled a success". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. October 4, 1963. p. 6.
^ Terrell, Ellen (June 28, 2013). "This Month in Business History: ZIP Code Introduced". Library of Congress Research Guides. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2022.

[1] Curtin, Abby. "Flashing Across the Country: Mr. Zip and the ZIP Code Promotional Campaign". Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.

[2] "The Untold Story of the ZIP Code" (PDF). U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General. April 1, 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2020. When Day unveiled the nationwide 5-digit ZIP Code at a postmasters' convention in October of 1962, he simultaneously introduced the world to 'Mr. ZIP'—the cartoon character whose body language symbolizes speedy delivery.

[3] "Latest Status Info". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved December 22, 2019.

[mlcdintr-4] "Post office readies new area mailing code". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. June 30, 1963. p. 9.

[lblsccs-5] "ZIP Code is labeled a success". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. October 4, 1963. p. 6.

[6] Terrell, Ellen (June 28, 2013). "This Month in Business History: ZIP Code Introduced". Library of Congress Research Guides. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2022.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]