This short U.S. Postal Service film (circa 1950) is an instructional guide on how postal clerks should tie bundles of letters securely. It provides detailed steps and techniques for tying the twine around the letters to ensure they can be handled repeatedly without coming apart. The guide emphasizes the importance of learning to tie properly from the beginning to ensure efficiency and speed. It also covers the use of tools like a ring knife and demonstrates the process for both left-handed and right-handed clerks. The goal is to ensure that the bundles are tied tightly and can withstand rough handling during postal operations.

0:27-0:36: Postal clerks tie letters into bundles securely to ensure they can be handled repeatedly without coming apart.

0:40-0:54: Learning to tie properly from the beginning ensures efficiency and speed throughout one’s career.

0:57-1:00: The technique is the same whether tying with the left or right hand.

1:03-1:14: A left-handed clerk demonstrates tying, using a ring knife to cut the twine.

1:19-1:27: The action takes place in the area of greatest manual dexterity, using simple hand and arm movements.

1:31-1:52: Detailed steps on how to tie the twine around the package twice lengthwise and twice widthwise.

1:55-2:08: The bundle is held against the belt buckle while tying two half hitches.

2:21-2:26: The bundle is now tied securely and can be handled as one piece of mail.

2:29-2:43: Demonstration of the tying process again, emphasizing the steps.

2:47-3:01: Instructions for tying about 50 letters, starting with placing the twine under the thumb.

3:03-3:06: Wrapping the twine twice around the length and twice around the width.

3:10-3:19: Shifting the grip and holding the package against the belt buckle.

3:22-3:33: Tying two half hitches and breaking the cord with a snap of the wrist.

3:44-3:55: Demonstration of the knot using a clothesline and chalk line for clarity.

4:31-4:47: Detailed steps of the tying process with the demonstrator.

4:50-5:07: Tying two half hitches and breaking the cord with a snap of the wrist.

5:18-5:27: Ensuring the tension on the string is sufficient to hold the letters securely together.

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