The pervasiveness of e-mail is apparently having a major impact on the U.S. Post Office. Since the 19th century, it was unlawful to print any kind of advertising on a stamp, but earlier this year
that law was overturned by Congress and now the Post Office is allowing companies to create their own branded stamps for first-class mail. The initiative is part of an attempt to reverse a steady
decline in first-class mail, which has no doubt been affected by the ubiquity of email. The first company to take advantage of the new system is Hewlett-Packard, which is using its corporate logo and
pictures from its early days -- including founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard -- on mail sent to customers and partners. "HP views this as an opportunity to extend the brand," said Gary Elliott,
vice president of brand marketing in a statement. "It is a new 'brand canvas.'" The cost can be as little as 10 cents extra per stamp. The money goes to vendors who manufacture the stamps.
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