1600s

1609: First regularly published newspaper appears in Germany.
1609:
El Greco's View of Toledo
1627: France introduces registered mail.
1631: A French newspaper carries classified ads.
1631:
"Wicked" Bible of 1631 (look for a missing "not")
1635:
Velázquez's Prince Balthasar Carlos
1639: In Boston, someone is appointed to deal with foreign mail.
1639: First printing press in the American colonies.
1640: Kirchner, a German Jesuit, builds a magic lantern.
1650: Leipzig has a daily newspaper.
1653: Parisians can put their postage-paid letters in mailboxes.
1659: Londoners get the penny post.
1661: Postal service within the colony of Virginia.
1673: Mail is delivered on a route between New York and Boston.
1689: Newspapers are printed, at first as unfolded "broadsides."
1696: By now England has 100 paper mills.
1698: Public library opens in Charleston, S.C.