Awards National Insulator Association Best of Specialty "Among the most elusive and desired of the early threaded insulator styles are those produced by Boston Bottle Works (and their close successors). They employed unusual designs, very innovative and creative ideas, as supplied by Samuel Oakman, and typified the resolve of the American entrepreneur of the Industrial Revolution. "Samuel Oakman's Involvement...37 years of major participation in American glass production. Oakman's first patent associated with insulators was created while he was still associated with Massachusetts Glass Company . The July 26, 1870 patent was a unique design meant to lock the threadless insulator on the threadless wooden pin, by means of two wedges (or shims). "Boston Bottle Works existed from either 1871 or 1872 until 1877. In 1872, they were listed in the Boston City Directory as being located at 49 State Street, which is right next door to the Massachusetts Glass Company, which had just become defunct that year. On October 15, 1872, Oakman was granted two patents for the plunger design that created the segmented threads which are unique to Boston Bottle Works insulators." "Oakman continued his involvement in the glass industry with Bay State Glass Works (a two year successor to Boston Bottle Works, 1878 to 1879), American Insulator Company (during 1885 and 1886), and Oakman Manufacturing Company from 1890 to 1897. "Oakman, of course, was issued many important insulator patents. The September 13, 1881 patent for forming threads, which was attributed to many insulators made by American Insulator Co., was assigned to an Edward C. Sherburne. The November 13, 1882 patent for double petticoats was assigned to American Insulator Co. On February 12, 1884, he was granted a patent for the Western Union 'Beehive' design, one of the most popular designs of all American insulators. The saddle groove insulator patent of June 17, 1890 (for 'cable' insulators) and the 'Columbia' side-tie with eyes patent of May 12, 1891 were other important creations by Samuel Oakman. His final patent, a design granted November 29, 1904, has never been created. Samuel Oakman was 82 years old at the time!"