V-Mail: the WWII program that scanned GI letters home onto microfilm

(via Retronaut) Shortly after entering World War II, the US military found that delivering immense volumes of mail to and from servicemen would be a challenge, given the need to reserve cargo space for critical weapons and supplies. The solution was called Victory Mail — V-Mail for short.  A V-mail letter would be written on a piece of standardized stationery, photographed and transferred onto a roll of microfilm. Upon reaching its destination, the letter would be blown back up and printed.  A ton of cargo became 20lbs. and 37 mail bags became one.