The April Fool Archive

Portable Zip Codes    (April Fool's Day - 2004)

National Public Radio's All Things Considered reported that the U.S. Post Office was introducing a new portable zip codes program that would allow individuals to take their zip code with them when they moved.

The program was inspired by a recent FCC ruling that allowed people to retain the same phone number wherever they moved or whatever service they switched to.

Opponents of the portable zip code program pointed out that zip codes "serve a clear, unambiguous purpose: They tell the postal worker on his or her rounds where you live."

However its supporters countered that "A modern, mobile society… can no longer afford to remain grounded in locale-specific zip codes… a zip code is a badge of honor, an emblem symbolizing a citizen's place in the demographic, rather than geographic, landscape."
Fictitious Geography of April Fool's Day Government-Themed April Fool's Day Hoaxes April Fool's Day Radio Hoaxes American April Fool's Day Hoaxes April Fool's Day, 2004 NPR's April Fool's Day Hoaxes

More content from the Hoax Museum:

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Sober Sue, the woman who never smiled, 1907

Comments

:red:

I remember hearing this on the radio; for over a year now, I'VE THOUGHT IT WAS REAL.
Posted by Andy  on  Tue Apr 05, 2005  at  12:53 PM
I can sympathize, Andy. I heard it on the radio and thought "that's ridiculous!" Fortunately for me, I did figure it out by the end of the broadcast. (whew)
Posted by John  on  Tue Apr 05, 2005  at  02:29 PM
The best part was left out. This was reported as being part of the new "Go Postal" campaign that the USPS was implementing, trying to get more people to use the mail.
Posted by CRuss  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  09:01 AM
That's spectacular! LOL. And who says Public Radio has no humor?
Posted by Katharine  on  Fri Mar 30, 2007  at  12:21 PM
there is a new company that will do just that get you an alternate "zip code" and that is all you will need and people will send you mail and they will scan it and send you an email.
Posted by Readthenews  on  Tue Apr 01, 2008  at  02:04 PM