The concept of prepaid postage, which would later give rise to postage stamps, dates back to ancient civilizations. However, it wasn't until the 19th century that postage stamps, as we know them today, were introduced. The world's first postage stamp, known as the "Penny Black," was issued in the United Kingdom in 1840. It featured a profile of Queen Victoria and was designed by Sir Rowland Hill, an English teacher and social reformer who championed postal reform. The introduction of postage stamps revolutionized the postal system by simplifying postage rates and eliminating the need for recipients to pay for mail upon delivery. This innovation not only made the mailing process more efficient but also laid the foundation for the worldwide standardization of postage systems. forever stamp