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Evolution of the Netflix Envelope

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the uhoh-used-the-e-word dept.

An anonymous reader wrote to mention an article over on CNN Money. They go into some detail on what seven years of tinkering has done for the simple red Netflix envelope. From the article: "Years of experimentation went into creating the perfect DVD envelope. In 1999, Netflix started out with a heavy cardboard mailer. With only 100,000 subscribers, costs weren't a concern yet. Then the company experimented with plastic envelopes, which proved not to be recyclable, and padding, which added too much to postage costs. Both top-loading and side-loading envelopes made an appearance."

14 of 238 comments (clear)

  1. Careful! by 2.7182 · · Score: 5, Funny

    They re use those things and don't forget what most people rent! I wouldn't seal them with a lick.

  2. Re:Damn! I was SO interested in the history of the by urbanRealist · · Score: 2, Funny

    Um, p2p?

    --
    I've seen a lot of things, but I've never been a witness.
  3. evolution and intelligent design by AhtirTano · · Score: 4, Funny
    I'm at a loss. The envolopes were clearly intelligently designed. But they appear to have evolved to match the current pressures of cost and safety applied by their environment.

    Only a pointless flame war can guide me through this conundrum. That's why I'm turning to you, O Wise Slashdotters.

  4. My Postman by Ankou · · Score: 4, Funny

    I love the innovation but personally my postman always seemed to find that ONE weakness in em. I was at an apartment complex with those little metal boxes. I swear the postman would fold them every time and I'd still get a envelope of broken pieces. Happened more times than I'd like to recall.

    1. Re:My Postman by st1d · · Score: 4, Funny

      Ah, such an innocent assumption. Perhaps your mailman's second job was at the local movie rental shop? :)

      --
      Microsoft has just released their much anticipated hands-free cordless mouse. Warning, it may hurt a little at first.
  5. Re:Lies from the article by Fhqwhgadss · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'll go out on a limb and guess that word problems are not your forte.

    --
    How does a 7-person democracy cut a pie? Into 4 pieces.
  6. Re:Mod This Comment Dumbass! by dl107227 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Would that be +1 or a -1 dumbass mod?

  7. I hope Ubuntu sees this by bzipitidoo · · Score: 3, Funny

    I tried Ubuntu's ShipIt service for a few free CDs. They came, but the cardboard holders had scratched the surface enough that the disks were no longer reliable. Of course I found this out 3/4 of the way thru an install in front of a bunch of people I was trying to impress with Linux.

    --
    Intellectual Property is a monopolistic, selfish, and defective concept. It is "tyranny over the mind of man"
  8. Evolution? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I dunno. Sounds more like intelligent design to me.

    1. Re:Evolution? by pintomp3 · · Score: 3, Funny

      FSM works at netflix? i guess it takes a lot of noodly appendages to juggle all those dvds.

  9. Hmm..... by Bill,+Shooter+of+Bul · · Score: 2, Funny

    Now, if we make a change to the accounting software to redirect a fraction of that penny left over from rounding operation to a different account we could bring down the evil of Netflicks! Who's with me?

    --
    Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
    1. Re:Hmm..... by JM+Apocalypse · · Score: 3, Funny

      I'm in! But I sometimes misplace my decimal point.s

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  10. Re:Synopsis by Jules+Mercuri · · Score: 2, Funny

    Don't forget OMG! PONIES!

  11. Re:perfect paper envelope... NOT by BeoFebenna · · Score: 5, Funny

    YES! Yes, we realize that. We do. We really do. It's okay. We all totally realize it. And we're grateful. Did we say we're grateful? We are. Okay. Now. Just put down the rifle...