Envelopes

An envelope is a flat paper pocket that holds letters. It keeps the letter clean and private. You write the address on the front and close it with glue or tape. Envelopes come in many sizes and colors.

How Envelopes Began

Long ago, people just folded their letters and sealed them with wax. The first real paper envelopes were made in the 1830s. A machine to fold envelopes was invented in 1845. This made it easy to make millions of them. Soon, everyone used envelopes for their mail.

Parts of an Envelope

An envelope has a front, a back, and a flap that closes it. The front shows the address where the letter will go. There is a spot in the corner for a stamp. The flap has sticky glue to seal it shut. Some envelopes even have bubble wrap inside to protect things.

Fun Facts

• The first envelope-making machine was made in 1845.
• Some envelopes have windows so you can see the address on the letter inside.
• Billions of envelopes are used around the world each year.

Did You Know?

Before envelopes were invented, people used hot wax and a stamp to seal their folded letters shut.