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USPS To Launch Line of Smart Clothing

Posted by timothy on from the please-link-to-sketches dept.

SpaceGhost writes "The Washington Post reports that the United States Postal Service has contracted with Wahconah Group, Inc. to produce a line of USPS-branded smart clothing. Per USPS Licensing manager Steven Mills 'This agreement will put the Postal Service on the cutting edge of functional fashion... The main focus will be to produce Rain Heat & Snow apparel and accessories using technology to create 'smart apparel' — also known as wearable electronics.' USPS Spokesman Roy Betts reports that the line will be found in premium department stores and specialty stores starting in 2014. The Washington Post points out that the USPS had done a similar retail line in the 1980s sold exclusively at Post Offices, but the line was discontinued after lobbyists complained of competition with the private sector." I hope it has hidden pockets for lost letters, and a loop for the package smashing mallet.

3 of 206 comments (clear)

  1. Re:FYI by drinkypoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Is that why mail is so slow? They ship it around the world so cheap labour can maul the packages? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just skip the mauling step?

    It would be cheaper, but it is absolutely essential in order to provide feature-parity with UPS and FedEx. In any case, they must still be using local mallet-smashers for relatively local (regional) mail, because I still get stuff from within the state in two days or less.

    --
    "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
  2. Re:Hmmm ... by Microlith · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why only the Postal Service and no other agency? To make sure Fedex profits stayed high?

    Yes, basically. They did it so that in the event that the USPS fails to meet the unfair obligation the GOP can point to it and cry about how the government fails at all things and that we should put our trust in private industry.

    Up until this was forced on them the USPS was actually doing fine, fulfilling its constitutional obligation.

  3. Re:FYI by PopeRatzo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is that why mail is so slow?

    Slow? I can send a five pound text book from Chicago to California in 3-4 days and it's less than $4.

    The Post Office consistently does a better job than FedEx or UPS. That's why when UPS sends stuff, they do it via the US Postal Service.

    --
    You are welcome on my lawn.