Prompt Cast
The History and Evolution of Christmas Cards
TLDR Sir Henry Cole invented the Christmas card in 1843 as a way to save time in responding to holiday greetings. Christmas cards became popular in Victorian England and the US in the 1860s, and after a decline in popularity, they made a comeback with the introduction of cameras and offset printing. However, in recent years, digital alternatives have become more popular due to concerns about waste.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This episode is about the history of Christmas cards and the role of Sir Henry Cole in their development.
02:02
Sir Henry Cole invented the Christmas card because he didn't have time to write back to all of his friends and acquaintances during the holidays.
04:07
Sir Henry Cole's first Christmas card in 1843 faced controversy because it didn't include the usual lengthy updates on family and personal matters, but eventually, Christmas cards became popular and were helped along by various factors.
06:18
The popularity of Christmas in Victorian England, the invention of the Christmas card, and the introduction of the affordable penny post all contributed to the rise of Christmas cards as a popular tradition.
08:46
Christmas cards became popular in both the UK and the US in the 1860s, with the first American printer, Louis Prang, debuting his cards in 1873, and after a decline in popularity, they made a comeback with the introduction of cameras and offset printing, becoming cheaper and more customizable.
10:44
Hallmark owns the best-selling Christmas card of all time called "Three Little Angels" that debuted in 1977 and has sold around 34 million copies, but these days many people opt for digital alternatives due to the wastefulness of traditional Christmas cards.
12:40
Sending Christmas cards to everyone you know, including your dentist and veterinarian, can be wasteful, but it's still appreciated when others send them, like Emily's Aunt Peg who does a Christmas newsletter every year.
Categories:
Society & Culture
