Glass Insulators were first commercially produced in the 1850s for use with batteries, telegraph lines and lightning rod systems. As telegraph, telephone, fire alarm, railroad signal, high voltage transmission and radio antenna system technologies developed, the need for insulators grew very quickly and reached its peak sometime in the second decade of the 20th Century. Yesterday's technology moved electricity over open steel and copper wire. Today's technology moves electronic signals and electric power from point to point in many different ways. Advanced composite materials, ceramic compounds, plastic conduit, glass fiber, and microwave broadcast have all conspired to render the glass insulator of yore obsolete. Although pioneering collectors tell stories of finding and swapping old insulators as early as the end of WWII, insulator collecting as a formal, organized hobby really didn't begin to emerge on the antiques and collectibles scene until the mid-1960s. In the USA today, the National Insulator Association has thousands of members. This category is about collecting insulators. These sites contain information about the acquisition, display, identification, and history of these collections. This category is dedicated to the dreams and pursuits of insulator collectors around the world.
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Sites 28
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- National Insulator Association This site provides detailed information about the National Insulator Association. Photographs related to collecting glass and porcelain insulators and significant historical data are also available.
- Crown Jewels of the Wire Magazine Magazine dedicated to the collectors of historic glass and porcelain insulators used by telegraph, telephone and electric power utilities. Includes value finder and subscription information.
- Rainbow Riders Trading Post Photos of displays and shows, a few articles, and information about the out-of-print magazine.
- Insulator News & Market Report A commercial advertising industry specific journal that serves the commercial electrical market as a source of information on international developments in power transmission and distribution.
- Insulator Magic This collector's site combines graphics, pictures and narrative style text to present the insulator collecting hobby from a unique point of view.
- Collecting Insulators Information on the hobby of collecting insulators and related collectibles. Contents include pictures of insulators, history of companies, patents, where to find insulators, manufacturing details, insulator terminology, books on the subject, and background on the hobby.
- MyInsulators.com Provides space at no charge for insulator and go-with collectors to maintain a site. Also a directory of member sites.
- Porcelain Insulators Collector, research expert, historian's site
- Charles Bibb's Insulator Photo Album This hobby enthusiast's site pictures insulator related events, and insulators from Mississippi and in his collection.
- The Wayback Times - Threadless Insulators Collector's site
- Hemingray.info Features the 'Hemingray Database' with details on this manufacturer's insulator production, photos of shows and displays, 'Laugh Lines' comics, and trip journals.
- Insulator Gurls at Large Follow the odyssey of two Canadian insulator collectors, who refuse to take themselves seriously.
- Buzz Cashion's Insulator Site Collector shares hobby of various types of insulators through pictures, and descriptions.
- Steve Blair's Website Photos of Lynchburg collection, strains and arrestors and the London/Springfield traveling show.
- Corning Pyrex Insulators On Parade This site contains pictures of Corning Pyrex insulators still in use.
- Teleramics - UK Railway Telegraph Insulators Detailed information and photographs on styles, materials, colours used for railway telegraph insulators from the UK. Sections on designers, markings and manufacturers of these products. Sub sections include railway crockery, insulator fixings, telegraph poles, brackets, and railway lighting.
- Canadian Insulator Collector's Page A tour of our insulator collection in southern Ontario, Canada. Contact information provided for help with insulator identification and information, and for those interested in buying, selling, or trading glass insulators with a Canadian collector.
- Hungarian Insulators Site of a Hungarian collector; includes many photos and drawings of insulators in use in Hungary.
- SignalSpark insulator book SignalSpark is a high quality book celebrating the insulator as an icon of industrial design.
- Central Pacific Railroad Photographic History Museum This page features the Brooks ramshorn insulator and its associated patent information.
- Argentina Glass Insulators Photo gallery of glass insulators made in Argentina.
- Argentina Porcelain Insulators Photo gallery of porcelain insulators made in Argentina.
- Canadian Railway Telegraph Insulators Pictures insulators used along Canadian railways and telegraph/telephone lines in the 19th and early 20th centuries. There are related links and an email contact as well.
- Glassian Collections of Ian Macky, including glass insulators, prism glass, and related history.
- Open Wire Insulator Services Conducts periodic auctions, performs appraisals by appointment and offers to purchase collections.
- Insulator Collector's Picture Forum A picture gallery where insulator collectors can post their insulator pictures.
- Glass Insulators Reference Site Insulator collectors resource with information on glass and porcelain insulators, show calendar, club listings, glossary, tips and photos of rare items.
- Insulator Collectors On the Net Webring Group of insulator enthusiasts who have linked sites together to allows visitors and ring members easy navigation.