Hard Pass

(TikTok screencap)

The people before us weren't perfect. Their mistakes are blueprints to learn from and build a better world

Before January 1, 1913, the U.S. Post Office didn't accept packages weighing more than 4 pounds. If you wanted to ship something heavy, you had to use expensive private express companies.

When the Parcel Post service launched in 1913, the weight limit jumped to 11 pounds (and later up to 50 pounds). Suddenly, Americans could ship all kinds of large items—like heavy tools, bricks, and, as it turned out, their own kids. Because the initial regulations didn't explicitly state that humans couldn't be mailed, a few enterprising parents saw a legal and incredibly cheap loophole.

I know it's late and isn't still May 19 for everyone but it still is for me where I am. Hopefully it is for you too.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/47085777

“We’ve had wealthy Democratic politicians before. FDR and JFK had tremendous fortunes, yet they enacted some of the most progressive policies in American history.”

From the character creator of Fallen London.