posted on June 1, 2001 04:17:36 PM new
Anyone know the year USA began using the 5 digit zips?
I bought 2 boxes of unused widgets at a yard sale. The boxes have the original price stickers (very low in comparison to today) and the store's shipping address. I know the local store was built in the mid 50's, and want to pinpoint the widget date before listing.
The shipping address is (example, not real) Boston 11, Mass 11111. Must have been during the transition from 2 digits between city and state to the permanent 5 digit zip.
I have seen old envelopes that said something like "San Diego 15" (which translates into 92115--921 being city of San Diego). I don't know when the two-digit codes started.
-- the two-digit code is a "zone code" and those were instituted in 1943. If both the zone code and the zip code are on your widget boxes, I'd guess they'd be dated from right after the new 5-digit zips went into effect in 1963. Like you said, during the transition.
