The first known envelope was nothing like the paper envelope of today. It can be dated back to around 3500 to 3200 BC in the ancient Middle East.

When did envelopes come into use?

The history of envelopes dates as far back as 2,000 B.C. all the way through the invention of paper leading up to the inexpensive ones we get every day. The first envelope ever in the world came from ancient Babylon. Messages were written on clay tablets and then baked until hardened.

Who invented the paper envelope?

The envelope in its current form was invented by British paper merchant KS Brewer from Brighton. In 1820, he sold the first envelopes, cutting each one by hand using a template and a shoemaker's knife.