Voting Station

Mr. Zip

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The Resume

    (July 1, 1963-1986)
    Postal Icon
    Zone Improvement Plan

Why he might be annoying:

    When the Zip code was introduced during the early 60's most people were already protesting being thought of as a number rather than a person.
    The original postal zones were introduce only for major cities and was a two digit code that went between the city and the state (1943).
    In 1986, the Postal Service issued Zip+4. which most non-business consumers still are unlikely to use.
    The postmaster called Mr. Zip 'an anachronism' when they introduced Zip + 4.

Why he might not be annoying:

    ZIP codes were conceived by US Director of Mail Services, Robert Aurand Moon, during the late 1950's.
    Moon's original thought was to extend the 2 digit zone #s (1943) in major cities to 3 digits covering the US (like area codes).
    Mr. Zip's purpose was to help mechanical sorting and thus speed the mail.
    The cartoon Mr. Zip was introduced to make the numbering system more friendly, especially to kids.
    In an advertising campaign Ethel Merman sang 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah' to him.
    He was a great success with 19 out of every 20 envelopes having a zip code before it became mandatory.
    Mr. Zip was so popular that his picture was imprinted on the cut away portion of the perforated stamps (1964-86).
    He reduces the risk of post office employees going 'postal.'

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 26 Votes: 11.54% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 76 Votes: 43.42% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 22 Votes: 59.09% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 30 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 41 Votes: 41.46% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 64 Votes: 70.31% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 109 Votes: 52.29% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 219 Votes: 61.64% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 321 Votes: 44.55% Annoying