FedEx Zapmail was a Lesson in Timing

FedEx Zapmail was a lesson in timing.   Introduced in 1984, ZapMail, guaranteed delivery of a document anywhere within two hours.

FedEx Zap mail didn’t involve faster planes, but blazing fast fax machines that delivered a same-day document!  I remember it, around 1985. We were amazed.

The special fax machines were placed in FedEx offices throughout the country and company couriers, as promised, delivered transmitted documents within hours.  The ultimate vision included a delivery system that needed no costly planes or expensive pilots and fewer couriers. Everything went well for a brief period until customers got wise and bought their own fax machines.  Zap mail got zapped.

In 1986, CEO Fred Smith’s ZapMail idea flopped after two years and $320 million down the drain. Smith has experienced failures but his numerous successes far outnumber them and he still runs one of the most successful transportation companies of our time.

The biggest mistake FedEx made with ZapMail was underestimating the customer’s ability to inexpensively secure technology that could send and receive documents faster and cheaper. I wonder, could 3D printing be destined for the same demise?  Guess we’ll see.