When you hear “courier,” you likely think of packages and safe, speedy and precise delivery. You think of vehicles and even drones. If you turn back time to the origin of the courier, it’s not a service, business or package but a person. The history of courier delivery service is rich, interesting and almost bizarre to imagine within a digitally transformed world.
How Did Courier Delivery Begin?
The term courier comes from the Latin word “currere,” meaning to run. Courier service began with someone running between destinations, delivering messages and news on foot. Only much later did courier service include packages and become more strategic and sophisticated.
Courier Origins
Courier service stretches back to ancient times and includes travel by foot, animal transport, failed businesses and ingenuity.
1. The First Couriers
The earliest record of goods being transported hails back to 2400 BC in Ancient Egypt. The Egyptian couriers delivered stone documents and building materials for the pyramids.
In Ancient Greece, messengers ran by foot to deliver items and announce great victories, like battles won. One such courier participated in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. Post-victory, he ran the 26 miles to Athens to announce the incredible feat and died from exhaustion en route. This story sparked the idea for the famous Olympic marathon race.
2. Animal Couriers
It was not long before humans leveraged animals to get messages and items delivered faster. Records show that humans dispatched dogs, carrier pigeons, horses, camels and even rabbits for deliveries:
- Birds: Pigeons were used throughout history to carry messages. The Persian and Greek military used these birds to deliver messages of victories. In 1870, the French Navy trained pigeons to take notes from sea to land, using them as a strategic military advantage.
- Horses: Ancient Rome used horses and chariots to deliver messages across the empire. In 1860 and 1861, the Pony Express used horses for rapid courier service across the United States. Undeveloped parts of the world still use horses, mules and donkeys for deliveries.
- Camels: These hoofed mammals were the preferred choice in couriers over arid and desert landscapes. Australia imported camels starting in 1870 to move goods across dry terrains and in sweltering heat.
- Dogs: Regions of Alaska, Canada and Russia were almost unreachable during the middle of winter before plane travel became widely accessible. People used dogsleds for most of the first part of the 20th century.
3. Modern Couriers
The courier service that led to the dispatch and delivery you know today is often attributed to 19th-century United States ingenuity. The first official package delivery company, Wells Fargo, opened for business in 1852. The company is still a household name, even if it shifted its business focus.
Another key player in the evolution of courier service is The Pony Express. The small package and messenger carrier became famous during the American Civil War and California Gold Rush. Their couriers were known for embodying speed and efficiency, navigating dangers and delivering small packages from West to East within 10 days. Unfortunately, the company went bankrupt in less than two years. Still, they revolutionized courier capabilities.
In 1907, two teenagers used their bicycles to start the American Messenger Company. This was a $100 business that developed into the mega-corporation United Parcel Service, or UPS.
The focus on innovative delivery methods and the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 20th century changed the industry into what you know today.
What Does the Future of Couriers Hold?
The history of B2B delivery is exciting. The first couriers that ran on foot may never have imagined a future where messages are instantly sent worldwide or that same-day delivery would be possible. If the Industrial Revolution brought such radical change, imagine the possibilities with rapid digital transformation and innovation at our fingertips today. Current courier and logistic trends already show a reimagined world.
ExpressIt Delivery — History in the Making
As a family-owned, WBENC-certified and women-led company, ExpressIt’s foundation is innovation and breaking the status quo. We consistently look to the future, develop solutions that speed up delivery and search for ways to bolster client experience. For 40-plus years, our exceptional dispatchers and delivery drivers have worked with niche industries and gained experience with handling fragile and sensitive packages.
Learn more about our services or connect with us today — we deliver it the way you need it.
