The mailing industry generates $1.4 Trillion in sales (about 4.6% of the U.S. economy). It employs about 7.5 million people. It is about the same size as the airline or the oil and natural gas industries. 73% of the jobs are dependent upon the delivery services provided by the Postal Service and others.
In order to present a comprehensive and understandable look at the complex and gigantic world that is the mailing industry, the museum has divided the industry into a series of 14 categories. Reading through these, you will discover that aspects of the industry overlap. “Catalogs and Mail Order” is not a complete story without “Fulfillment and Parcel Shippers” or “Direct Marketing.” The story of the “Printers” industry does not stand alone, but is part and parcel of the stories in “Forestry and Paper,” “Envelope Manufacturers,” “Magazines,” and more.
We invite you to explore the mailing industry in all of its complexity and depth by looking through these 14 categories. Not only do they complement and build on each other, but each and every one of these categories touches your life, or the life of someone you know. Welcome to the mailing industry and enjoy your tour.
