What might be considered a universal format for storing e-mail?

There are formats that would be considered universal for various types of files. Example: It would be difficult to find anyone with a computer who could not view a JPG, TXT, RTF, HTM and PDF files as these have become defacto standards as there are a plethora of programs that read these formats.

Is there such a format for e-mail?

To clarify: The first and most common problem introduced by proprietary, encrypted formats (like Outlook's PST and Outlook Express's DBX, for example) is these formats are prone to corruption resulting in catastrophic loss and expensive, labor-intensive recovery operations.

 

I don't think so but you have raised a valid point.

 

.EML is probably the closest to a standard with a variety of programs being able to open them.

 

I got this definition from Wikipedia:

Of course, attachments, and anything other than words are out.
I think that .eml is more like it.