As most of you know I am a big fan of snail mail-hence what you are reading right now. In the world of digital communication, where instant gratification reigns supreme there is something uniquely personal about receiving a letter with distinctive handwriting, uneven lines, and the occasional pen smudge. I knew the addresses were read electronically, but did you know that these quaint imperfections, while endearing to the recipient, pose a significant challenge for the automated machinery employed by postal services to streamline the sorting and delivery process.

In Salt Lake City, a specialized team of U.S. Postal Service experts steps in where machines falter. While the Postal Service once had 55 remote encoding centers nationwide, the Utah center is now the only such facility left, making it an essential part of the efforts to ensure handwritten notes reach their destinations — personality-filled penmanship and all. Equipped with a keen eye and adept skills, these handwriting experts excel at deciphering what some might describe as “chicken scratch.” Their role is crucial in ensuring that each letter reaches its intended destination, overcoming the limitations that machines cannot surmount.

While I have been getting back more and more of my snail mail I at least realize I need to up my game on my chicken scratch 🙂