Stuff You Should Know Selects: How the Pony Express Worked
Sep 3, 2022
Discover the captivating history of the Pony Express, a short-lived yet legendary mail delivery service. Learn about its operational struggles, financial impracticalities, and how it reflected the tumultuous times of the Old West. Listen to incredible tales of daring riders and the cultural myths surrounding them. Explore the paradox of a service that was both revolutionary and doomed, while also pondering its lasting legacy in American communication. Plus, enjoy a humorous detour into misconceptions about Buffalo Bill!
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Pony Express: A Failed Business, Successful Service
- The Pony Express, despite its legendary status, was a financial failure, lasting only 18 months.
- It succeeded as a mail service, delivering mail between Missouri and California in about 10 days.
Founding and Financial Troubles
- Three entrepreneurs, Russell, Majors, and Waddell, founded the Pony Express.
- Their freight business was struggling when they started the Pony Express, making it a risky venture.
High Costs and Low Volume
- The Pony Express charged $5 per half ounce of mail, but rarely carried a full load.
- Its high operating costs and lack of consistent, high-paying customers contributed to its financial failure.