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. Auctions of Vintage Insulators are available too.
Patent of the Day
Utility Patent 1,237,843 on August 21, 1917
By John W. Ward
Antenna Support: An insulator to support radio antenna towers composed of a metal base and several porcelain sections that are cemented together.

[Set My Event Preferences]

Thursday, August 21, 2025
Special Events

Upcoming Insulator & Bottle Shows Shows
Insulator Show The 2025 Big Sky Insulator Show
  Helena, MT Today! Fri, August 22 (2 day show)  
Insulator Show 2nd Annual Mukwonagoan Insulator Meet
  Mukwonago, WI Sat, August 30 in 9 days
Insulator Show Antique Bottle Collectors of Colorado Show
  Castle Rock, CO Sat, September 6 in 16 days
Insulator Show GCIC Swap Meet
  Rochester, IN Sat, September 13 in 23 days
Insulator Show WRIC 15th Annual Oktoberfest Insulator Show
  Richfield, OH Sat, September 13 in 23 days
Insulator Show Border States Antique Show & Sale
  Lawrence, KS Sat, September 20 in 30 days
NIA show The 57th NIA National Show & Convention
  Helena, MT Fri, July 10 (3 day show) in 323 days
More shows
Insulator show listings courtesy National Insulator Assocation
Happy Birthday!
age 54 Today!! Thu, August 21
age 76 Tomorrow! Fri, August 22
age 25 Tomorrow! Fri, August 22
Happy Anniversary!
49 years Today!! Thu, August 21
44 years Today!! Thu, August 21
11 years Today!! Thu, August 21
54 years Today!! Thu, August 21
5 years Tomorrow! Fri, August 22
55 years Tomorrow! Fri, August 22
38 years Tomorrow! Fri, August 22
What's New? Insulator Collectors On the Net! Go to the Porcelain Insulator Pages Navigation banner
Updated Monday
January 1, 2024
Are you  a member?
Why don't you join?

Donate to ICON
Porcelain Insulator
Pages

General Information:
*Insulator Profiles
*Frequently Asked Questions
*Glossary of Insulator Terms
*Style Number Charts
*Anatomy of an Insulator
*Ted's Top Ten Tips
*Search the Insulator Pages
*Most Popular Insulators
*Insulator Wiki
*Download Area
*Links to Related Sites

Photo Albums:
*North American Insulators
*Foreign Insulators
*Porcelain Insulators
*PicturePoster Gallery Updated 8/2025
*Shorpy Photographs
*Early Telegraph Insulators
*Insulator "Go-Withs"
*Insulators in Service
*Crown Jewels of the Wire
*Power Line Explorer
*The Greatest Insulator Find

Clubs and Shows:
*National Insulator Association
*Local Clubs
*Show Calendar Updated 8/2025

Read it Online:
*Research Articles and StoriesUpdated 8/2025
*ICON Articles and Pictures
*Canadian Forum
*Books Online
*Show Reports
*Insulator News
*N.R. Woodward on the Web Updated 10/2019
*Taking Care of Your Insulators
*Classic Articles from RRTP
*Insulators and Computers

Reference Material:
*Reference Books
*Magazines
*Publications Reference Library
"The Insulator Gazette"
*Patent Reference Library
*Insulator Geography
Where were they used?
*Insulator Catalogs
*Design Specifications
*Insulator Research Service
*Out of Print Resources

The People Connection:
*ICON Mailing List
*Collectors' Pages
*Collectors Websites
*Online Contacts
*PicturePoster Insulators For Sale Updated 8/2025
*Insulators For Sale and Trade Updated 8/2025