History of FrankingThe franking of mail started on a limited basis following the creation of the General Post Office by parlaiment in 1660. At this time a politician was able to send mail simply by signing his signature in lieu of a stamp.

 

By the 19th century this system was said to have been getting widely abused and people mused that anyone with a friend in parlaiment could get their mail franked.

 

As time and technology progressed machines were introduced that allowed companies to frank their own mail in order to speed up and reduce the cost of this process.

 

Now in the 21st century franking machines have become a necessary and important part of the modern office.