10 Shocking Things You Didn’t Know About FedEx

Is there anything more exciting than seeing a FedEx van outside your house pulling up to deliver your package? Okay, there probably is, but getting a FedEx delivery is definitely up there with the best.

Delivery drivers are this generation’s unsung heroes. They’ve seen us at our worst, from rolling straight out of bed to sprinting from the shower mid-shampoo to answer the door — yet they never make us feel judged. Plus, they bring us everything we’ll ever need right to our doorstep without us ever needing to leave the house. Perfection.

But as it turns out, there’s more to FedEx than just friendly and efficient delivery drivers.

From Hollywood fame to gambling and plane hijacking, keep scrolling to find out some shocking stories and facts about FedEx that may just blow your mind.

1. There’s something hidden in the FedEx logo

Before we tell you what it is, take a minute to look at the FedEx logo to see if you can spot it. Once you see it, you won’t be able to unsee it.

Here’s a hint: there’s a shape hidden between two letters.

Did you spot it?

If not, we’ll help you out. Look closer at the ‘Ex.’ The space in between the two letters actually forms the shape of an arrow! This is a brilliant example of logo branding that cleverly represents the services.

Here’s a version of the logo that highlights the arrow a little more clearly:

See it now? Pretty cool right?

2. The movie ‘Cast Away’ was actually inspired by FedEx

Have you ever seen Cast Away, starring Tom Hanks? It’s all about a FedEx executive called Chuck Noland, who’s obsessed with punctuality. In the movie, Chuck is carrying out his courier duties when a storm causes his FedEx plane to crash over the ocean.

Stranded alone on an island with nothing but a volleyball to keep him company, Chuck somehow survives for years. When he finally makes his escape, he manages to bring one unopened FedEx letter with him, which he eventually delivers to the right address.

This highly successful, critically acclaimed movie was great free marketing for FedEx because it showcases the brand’s values and the lengths that this fictional employee went to make a successful delivery. And they didn’t even have to pay a penny!

3. FedEx’s founder gambled the company out of bankruptcy

In 1974, FedEx was right on the brink of bankruptcy, only three years after the company was founded. They were losing $1,000 dollars each month, so investors and capital loan schemes wanted nothing to do with them.

With nothing to lose, FedEx’s founder Fred Smith took the last remaining $5,000 dollars at the end of the working week and went to Las Vegas for the weekend to gamble it.

On the following Monday, Smith returned to the company headquarters to inform them that his gambling had paid off. He came back with $27,000 — more than 5 times what he’d left with.

Not too long after, the company managed to attract an $11 million investment, which they used to turn FedEx around. Just two years later, they turned an initial profit of $2.6 million. What a rollercoaster!

4. FedEx wasn’t supposed to be a courier service

When FedEx first started, it didn’t operate like they do today. Back then, FedEx would simply pick up cheques from the 12 Federal Reserve banks in the US, then distribute them to the federal reserve member banks the following day.

Once the Federal Reserve was on board, Smith used pretty much all his capital to buy two airplanes so that the company could make these deliveries. The Federal Reserve eventually backtracked on its decision to work with FedEx, leaving them with no clients and a whopping debt of $3.6 million. You’ve got to give it to Mr. Smith, he’s one resilient guy.

5. FedEx invented tracking numbers (supposedly)

It’s up for debate, but the general consensus is that FedEx actually invented tracking numbers in the 70s.

Today, everyone uses tracking numbers. From other delivery and courier services to your favorite e-commerce brands. It’s pretty handy to type them in and see exactly where your package is. Thanks, FedEx!

6. FedEx will deliver some animals, but not all of them

Rumor has it that FedEx will deliver anything and everything, which is almost true.

They do in fact ship animals, but it’s limited to specific fishes and reptiles. So no, you can’t order a giraffe through FedEx.

7. The exclusive courier of pandas

While you may not be able to order a panda to your front door, FedEx does actually ship pandas.

Pandas are only loaned to other countries by China. So any time a panda is born in another country, in a zoo for instance, they have to be sent back to China to help expand the gene pool of the ‘at risk’ species. FedEx is the company that ships them back!

8. The drivers have to be quite strong

If you were thinking of becoming a FedEx driver, then you might want to start working on your upper body strength. The company requires all of its drivers to be able to pick up at least 75 pounds without any assistance.

That seems sensible, as the drivers have to lift heavy packages in and out of the trucks and carry them to peoples’ front doors all day. Apparently, FedEx has nicknamed drivers ‘industrial athletes’ because of the strength and endurance required.

9. A FedEx plane almost got hijacked

In 1994, an armed employee attempted to hijack a FedEx plane while it was in the sky. To prevent the plane from being taken over, the captain flew the plane upside down. Skills.

10. Drivers can be asked to take part in sting operations

DEA agents will sometimes visit FedEx sorting facilities with drug-sniffing canines to check for any illegal substances. If anything is found, sometimes the drivers will be asked to make the delivery so that law enforcement can make an arrest.

Keen to learn more surprising things about your favorite brands? Then head to the SmartZup website, where we’ve got you covered.