U.S. Postal Service Debuts First-Ever Scratch-and-Sniff Stamps at Thinkery Event

It's mid-June now, so you’ve already probably sniffed vigorously as you dipped in a highly chlorinated pool, dunked yourself in mosquito spray, and enjoyed your child’s unwashed armpits well into their school break. But do you truly know what summer smells like? That’s where the U.S. Postal Service comes in.

To celebrate the season, the USPS is debuting its first-ever scratch-and-sniff line, the Frozen Treats Forever stamps, designed by Margaret Berg and meant to “remind customers of the sweet scent of summer when mailing and receiving letters of love, friendship, party invitations and other correspondence.” (Loving the “other correspondence” tack-on, hoping my next jury summons comes scented with orange creamsicle. Just kidding – please don’t send me another jury summons.)

The nifty thing here – besides, of course, the inherent niftiness in scratch-and-sniff and how is the U.S. Postal Service only now getting around to this?? Also, why hasn’t the Chronicle gotten into the scratch-and-sniff game?? – is that the stamp debut is happening locally at children's interactive museum Thinkery Austin in an open to the public event (suggested $1 donation) that includes STEAM activities for kiddos and a dedication by the Postal Service’s Vice President Lou Grossman that’ll be live-streamed on the USPS Facebook page.

The cherry on top? Free frozen treats provided by Steel City Pops. No guarantees on what they’ll smell like, but they’ll probably taste fucking fantastic.

---

The U.S. Postal Service Frozen Treats First Day of Issue Stamp Dedication Ceremony takes place at 6pm in the Events Courtyard at the Thinkery Austin. Thinkery Community Night is open to public from 4-8pm.

Got ideas for a Chronicle scratch-and-sniff issue? Hit the comment boards.