Glass insulators were first produced in the 1850's for use with telegraph lines. As technology developed insulators were needed for telephone lines, electric power lines, and other applications. In the mid 1960's a few people began collecting these antique glass insulators. Today there are over 3,000 insulator collectors. Insulator clubs, local and national shows, and good reference books are available.
Patent of the Day
Utility Patent 1,626,180 on April 26, 1927
By Byron C. Burkett
Lightning Rod Coupling: Lightning rod coupling composed of a Y-shaped tube which allows one end of the conductor to slip inside the tube and Y end attached to other conductor by bending over the metal tabs

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Catalog of Lightning Rod Insulators with Associated Brackets

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