Задание 39 ЕГЭ, английский язык: Чтение текста вслух

It is very difficult to say when the picture postcards originated. The evolution of the picture postcard reflects the history of the post service in the world. It is also connected with innovations in printing and photography. We may say the history of the picture postcard started with the postal reform in the UK in the 19^th century. This reform made the cost of domestic mail delivery very cheap. The person who wanted to send the mail had to pay for it. A stamp was a way to show that you paid for your mail. Sending mail became popular. People were interested in nice paper and envelopes for their letters. That was the time when a scientist from Austria offered to make cards for sending short messages. Everybody liked the idea very much. The first postcards had very simple designs, but now you can buy beautiful cards with various pictures on them.