The Many Faces Of Window Envelopes Used In Todays World.
Spawning a new generation in how we utilise postal envelopes in everyday use, window envelopes first became popular shortly after their conception in 1901 by an American named Americus F. Callahan who lived and worked in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Americus was an inventor and designer whose idea for an envelope that incorporated thin rice paper as the material that formed the window was patented in the following year in 1902. Because plastics had not been invented yet, the rice paper offered a slightly opaque view that would display writing underneath it when pressed flat against the surface of the envelope itself, allowing for addresses or details displayed in the window to be read.
Sparking mass interest in the window envelope design, this format continued to be used until the discovery of plastics and the then change over to thin plastic windows that were completely transparent, allowing for the quick and easy viewing of the recipients name, address or PO Box number. Reducing the necessity to print recipient or sender details on window envelopes means that this envelope offers a cost effective solution in many applications, especially at the time of its conception as all printing on envelopes was done by typewriter, reducing the workload on typists and essentially lowering costs and saving time for the sender and a savings on materials such as the ink ribbons used in typewriters.
Costing slightly more than the standard envelope, the original window envelopes still had to have the windows cut out and the materials to be incorporated, usually glued in place before construction. In order to combat the rise in price, Mr. Callahan chose to use manilla paper for his patented window envelopes because it was thinner and cheaper that the thicker paper previously used to make the range of available envelopes at the turn of the 20th century. Due to the fact that the need to type an address on the new styled envelope meant that material used could be thinner, more lightweight and so cheaper to use too.
As the decades passed, paper quality improved consistently, creating even cheaper ways to produce all types of envelopes, whether window versions or plain envelopes. Stronger examples were and are still used for business and some general purpose uses with other varieties available for specific uses. Windowed envelopes have seen many changes over the years, yes its true but one of the most significant guises that they took on, along with every other envelope manufactured was during the time of war here in the UK. By the 1940s there was a severe paper shortage, amongst everything else, from food to fuel and other essential supplies such as iron, cloth for clothing and leather for shoes and such. As a result of the dire paper shortage, newspapers were used as a replacement material for envelopes, utilising the keen and resourceful nature of individuals during these unpleasant and needy times.
Now, in the 21st century, we use envelopes more than ever, creating a massive selection of windowed and windowless envelopes for use by businesses and individuals across the world. Wherever you look online or in stationery shops across the world you will always be able to easily find envelopes of all descriptions, adding once more to the huge impact and popularity gained by these novel and ingenious inventions.
Sparking mass interest in the window envelope design, this format continued to be used until the discovery of plastics and the then change over to thin plastic windows that were completely transparent, allowing for the quick and easy viewing of the recipients name, address or PO Box number. Reducing the necessity to print recipient or sender details on window envelopes means that this envelope offers a cost effective solution in many applications, especially at the time of its conception as all printing on envelopes was done by typewriter, reducing the workload on typists and essentially lowering costs and saving time for the sender and a savings on materials such as the ink ribbons used in typewriters.
Costing slightly more than the standard envelope, the original window envelopes still had to have the windows cut out and the materials to be incorporated, usually glued in place before construction. In order to combat the rise in price, Mr. Callahan chose to use manilla paper for his patented window envelopes because it was thinner and cheaper that the thicker paper previously used to make the range of available envelopes at the turn of the 20th century. Due to the fact that the need to type an address on the new styled envelope meant that material used could be thinner, more lightweight and so cheaper to use too.
As the decades passed, paper quality improved consistently, creating even cheaper ways to produce all types of envelopes, whether window versions or plain envelopes. Stronger examples were and are still used for business and some general purpose uses with other varieties available for specific uses. Windowed envelopes have seen many changes over the years, yes its true but one of the most significant guises that they took on, along with every other envelope manufactured was during the time of war here in the UK. By the 1940s there was a severe paper shortage, amongst everything else, from food to fuel and other essential supplies such as iron, cloth for clothing and leather for shoes and such. As a result of the dire paper shortage, newspapers were used as a replacement material for envelopes, utilising the keen and resourceful nature of individuals during these unpleasant and needy times.
Now, in the 21st century, we use envelopes more than ever, creating a massive selection of windowed and windowless envelopes for use by businesses and individuals across the world. Wherever you look online or in stationery shops across the world you will always be able to easily find envelopes of all descriptions, adding once more to the huge impact and popularity gained by these novel and ingenious inventions.