Pneumatic tube

Pneumatic tubes or capsule pipelines are systems of air-driven containers in a network of tubes used for transporting physical objects.

Pneumatic Post

Pneumatic post or pneumatic mail is a system to deliver letters through pressurized air tubes. It was invented in by the Scottish engineer William Murdoch in the 1800's and was later developed by the London Pneumatic Dispatch Company. These systems were used in several large cities since the second half of 19th century but was largely abandoned during 20th century.

Related Topics:
William Murdoch - 19th century - 20th century

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It was also speculated that a system of tubes might deliver mail to every home in the US. A major system in Paris was in use until 1983 when it was finally abandoned in favor of computers and fax machines. Today, in Prague, the Czech Republic, pneumatic tubes are still in operation. This potrubní po?ta service was opened in 1899 and today covers approximately 60 kilometeres delivering mail and small parcels.

Related Topics:
Paris - 1983 - Prague - Czech Republic - 1899

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Typical current applications are banks and hospitals. Many large retailers (such as Home Depot or CostCo in the US) use pneumatic tubes to transport checks or other documents from cashiers to the accounting office. One system lists a speed of 10 m/s. http://www.capsu.org/history/telegram_conveyors.html

Related Topics:
Bank - Hospital

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Stations of pneumatic post usually connected post offices, stock exhanges, banks and ministries. Italy was the only country to issue postage stamps (between 1913 and 1966) specifically for pneumatic post. Austria, France, and Germany issued postal stationary for pneumatic use.

Related Topics:
Postage stamp - Postal stationary

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Historical uses of pneumatic post

• 1853: linking the London Stock Exchange to the city's main telegraph station (220 yard long)
• 1865: in Berlin (until 1976), the "Rohrpost", a system 400 kilometers in total length
• 1866: in Paris (until 1983)
• 1875: in Vienna (until 1956)
• 1887: in Prague (until 2002 due to flooding) (http://feed.proteinos.com/000613.html, http://mobil.idnes.cz/mob_prakticky.asp?r=mob_prakticky&c=A040517_5258397_mob_prakticky in Czech, with pictures)
• other cities: Munich, Rio de Janeiro, Hamburg, Rome, Naples, Milan, Marseilles