Timeline of Key Dates
Throughout the centuries, the basic practice of a messenger carrying mail from sender to recipient has remained virtually unchanged.
Choose a Century, Decade or Year to find out how Britain's postal service developed.
| Date | Text |
|---|---|
| Jan 18251825 - Electromagnet developed | William Sturgeon develops the electromagnet, which lays the foundations for future developments in telegraphy. |
| Sep 182527 September 1825 - First steam railway | The world's first steam locomotive railway opens between Stockton and Darlington. Image: Stephenson's Locomotion, 1825 - stamp from 150th Anniversary of Public Railways issue, 13 August 1975  |
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Mail Rail exhibition
An exhibition of photographs capturing the entire Mail Rail network
Mail Rail ran from 1927 to 2003. These images show the hidden network that still lies beneath London.
