“I found this, and I consider myself lucky. Who knows what it is?”

It is possible that you have observed these objects made of glass or porcelain that are placed on the tops and crossarms of telephone poles; nevertheless, have you ever pondered what they are and why they are utilised? Now, hold on tight, because I’m about to reveal some information about these unsung heroes of the communication world.

These peculiar-looking devices, known as insulators, serve an extremely important purpose. To prevent the electrical wires that they are cradling from having a conversation with the pole or, heaven forbid, the ground below, their primary function is to prevent accidental contact. In the event that they failed to perform their duties, all of that necessary electricity (or those priceless phone conversations) would just be wasted. Consider the scenario in which you are attempting to make a long-distance call and your voice begins to fade after a few hundred feet. Do you agree that it’s not fun?

Insulators come in a wide variety of forms and colours, which is a treasure trove. Some of the older ones were constructed from porcelain or glass, while others were made from wood and glass, animal parts (yep, you read that correctly), and even more unusual materials. The majority of the earlier ones were made from glass or porcelain. The size of the insulator is also important; smaller insulators were associated with the telephone and telegraph crowds, whilst their larger counterparts were associated with the high-voltage electrical wires. Depending on the voltage, it’s almost like having a whole section just for insulators!

What you need to understand is that when it comes to electricity lines, the larger the insulator that is required, the greater the voltage. How come? mostly due to the fact that electricity can be a bit of a show-off, and if the voltage is high enough, it can just decide to jump across a good distance, which is a phenomenon that is known as “flashover.” This electrifying dance technique is prevented from occurring by insulators that have broad “umbrella” discs and wide lower skirts. Insulators are similar to the bouncers at a nightclub in that they ensure the wire remains at a distance of at least one arm’s length from the pole.
You won’t believe it, but there really such a thing as insulator collecting! It wasn’t until the 1960s that utility and power companies began burying their cables that it began to gain significant traction. The majority of those vintage insulators were unable to participate in the subterranean party, and as a result, they were discarded in the “throw out” bin. However, as the proverb goes, what is considered garbage by one person is treasure to another.

The collectors are a varied group of people. The aesthetics are important to some people, as seen by the fact that they use the colourful glass pieces to decorate their windowsills and gardens, so providing a bit of shine to their surroundings. Some people have more refined preferences, and they look for particular types of insulators to satisfy their needs. There is a wide range of pricing, from freebies to staggering amounts of money. In addition to the fact that rare specimens can bring tens of thousands of dollars, there are also a lot of possibilities that are more affordable. It is possible that you will find one at flea markets for less than a dollar, or if you are fortunate, you might even be able to receive one for free.

The majority of the insulators that are currently in the possession of collectors are between 70 and 145 years old, and certain varieties have not been manufactured since the early 1900s. This is an important fact to keep in mind. Insulators are not an exception to the rule that suggests that everything that is ancient and is no longer being manufactured has the potential to become a collectible.

Consequently, the next time you come across one of those peculiar glass or porcelain insulators that are perched high up on a telephone pole, take a moment to celebrate the significant part they have played in the development of communication throughout history. They may appear to be relics of the past, yet they have left an indelible effect on our capacity to interact with one another, whether it be through a phone call or a text message that is sent at a breakneck speed. And who knows, you might just be motivated to begin your own collection, joining the ranks of insulator lovers who believe that these unassuming artefacts contain both beauty and history.