In a message dated 96-02-08 15:42:34 EST, Robert Cromwell writes: >I've heard that there was a note posted about glass insulators some time >ago while I was out of the country. If so, I unfortunately missed it, >and now I am in the middle of my thesis and I am having problems finding >references about glass and porcelain insulators, especially on dating >them. You missed a number of references and good discussion on this subject. I obtained a copy of the book on insulators by the McDougals and it is wonderful - even many, many color photographs. Here are several good references as previously printed on HISTARCH: Regarding glass insulators, try Jack H. Tod, Insulator Patents, 1880-1960. He can be reached at 3427 N. 47th Place, Phoenix, AZ 85018. My copy was printed in 1985 by the author. I think he has other volumes, but I do not recall. This is really an amazing book that I recommend to everyone on the net. He has references for 3,000 patents and detailed file cards on 695 patents. The file cards have sketches that will enable easy identification. Ron May c/o [log in to unmask] A resend of an older post from Marty Perdue [log in to unmask] > Date: Wed, 10 Aug 1994 22:55:03 -0500 > Reply-To: Material Culture Study and Methods <[log in to unmask]> > From: Robert Fort <[log in to unmask]> > Subject: Re: Invention of electric fences? > X-To: "James P. Roan" <[log in to unmask]> > To: Multiple recipients of list ARTIFACT <[log in to unmask]> > [...snip...I took out the remaining ">"s so that this wouldn't wrap weird..mcp] Hi- In reply to your question about who invented electrical fences and when: I'm a collector of old glass insulators. There is a thriving, though small, group of people in the US who collect these items. A few of these collectable insulators were used on electric livestock fences. John and Carol MacDougald of Illinois (address below) are considered to be the current experts (no pun intended) on the subject of electrical insulators and their usage. They've published a 2 volume work on the history and manufacture of glass insulators. The book is mainly written by amateur historians who through personal/family experience, and/or research, are very knowledgable about the use and manufacture of ALL SORTS of electrical related products, both in the US and abroad. Their address: John & Carol Macdougald P.O. Box 1003 St Charles, IL 60174 tel. 708-513-1544 fax 708-513-8278 Good luck! - Robert Fort >> [log in to unmask] << Subject: Re: Glass Insulators I have in front of me the Bicentennial Edition of *Milholland's Final and Complete Glass Insulator Reference Book*, 4th Revision, 1976 by Marion and Evelyn Milholland, printed by Pen Print, Port Angeles, WA. 98362. The address of Mrs. Marion C. Milholland is shown as 145 E. 168th, Spanaway, Wa. 98387. Its quite interesting. It has an article on the origins of the insulator, articles on styles, manufacturers, patents, production volume for different manufacturers, and a bibliography. I only have pieces of it, but it is over 455 pages long in total. Mike Polk Sagebrush Archaeological Consultants From: James P. Roan:X400 Host: X400 Subject: Glass Insulators Comments: In Reply to Message :- note of 09/20/95 16:31 Message: Librarian, NMAH Branch Library,Smithsonian You might try the publishers of "Crown Jewels of the Wire", Carol and John McDougald? I would think they'd be happy to supply you with some good references. They published "Insulators, a history and guide to North American glass pintype insulators" in 1990 and they are now on e-mail: [log in to unmask] ; phone number is (708) 513-1544 and fax is (708) 513-8278 %Smithsonian Institution SI Libraries % [log in to unmask] NMAH 5016 Stop 630 % From: Mel Hardin Subject: Glass Insulators As a young artifact collector in SW Ohio in the mid 1960's, I spent a lot of time in the country. I was told by a older man who knew quite a bit of local lore that telephone linemen used to bury ( what sounded to me) at least 50-100 insulators at measured intervals along the line at the base of the poles.As I remeber it was a distance of no more then every seventh or tenth pole.(problem is how does one begin the count?) They buried them as of the frequent need replace ones that were broken or missing.Young hunters had a fondness in using insulators for target practice after the crows flew away.