Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-071

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (April 17, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we deliver a great delivery story.

Absolutely, Positively Overnight

Fred Smith came up with the idea of rapid delivery of goods using a system of airplanes and local trucks.  His economics paper outlining the core idea at Yale in the mid-1960s received a C grade.

FedEx was founded in 1971 by Smith and officially commenced the air delivery business on April 17, 1973.  It is the largest air cargo delivery company globally, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee.

Those of a certain age will remember the long running ad campaign “absolutely, positively overnight”, which first aired in 1979.

If you are in Memphis, driving to the airport during mid-day, it is fascinating with all the FedEx planes parked there.  More come in during the evening and after sorting most take off again.

This simple map of Memphis is by Cram from 1898.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.