missile mail fizzles

In a 1959 communication transportation experiment, the US Postal Service shot a missile full of mail from a US Navy sub. Not high enough, of course, to burn up upon reentry. They were swift enough to place the mail first in this red, white and blue container:

And then it was placed alongside another inside a Cold War Regulus I missile and aimed for the Florida coast, landing safely 22 minutes later. The flight created quite a bit of excitement, at least from the Postmaster General, who planned to incorporate a plan for future use of cross-country mail flights.
Mysteriously, this was the only flight. Well, maybe not mysterious. Just stupid. Like Balloon Boy. Sounds like an episode of In Search Of when the ballgame is rained out.

I suppose I could build a rocket and try to send Marie a card, or even a pack of gum. I think she would be impressed, heh?

photo: courtesy National Postal Museum