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 1,156,442 on October 12, 1915
By Louis Steinberger
Electrose: Electrose suspension with U-bolt connectors, arcing hood over the top and arcing ring below the insulator

[Set My Event Preferences]

Sunday, October 12, 2025
Special Events

Upcoming Insulator & Bottle Shows Shows
Insulator Show Garland Insulator Show
  Richardson, TX Sat, October 18 in 6 days
Insulator Show 55th Mid-Ohio Insulator Show
  Springfield, OH Fri, October 31 (3 day show) in 19 days
Insulator Show Dixie Jewels Fall Insulator Show
  Eatonton, GA Sat, November 15 in 34 days
Insulator Show Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club Annual "Beat the Snow" Insulator, Bottle & Collectibles Show
  Enfield, CT Sun, December 7 in 56 days
Insulator Show Ring In The New Year
  Willard, MO Sat, January 3 in 83 days
Insulator Show Central Florida Insulator Club Mid-Winter Break
  Casselberry, FL Fri, January 16 (2 day show) in 96 days
Insulator Show Dixie Jewels Insulator Club Winter Swap Meet
  Greenville, AL Sat, February 21 in 132 days
Insulator Show The Northwest Missouri Insulator & Bottle Show
  Platte City, MO Sat, March 14 in 153 days
NIA show The 57th NIA National Show & Convention
  Helena, MT Fri, July 10 (3 day show) in 271 days
NIA show The 58th NIA National Show, Sale & Convention
  Lee'S Summit, MO Fri, July 9 in 635 days
More shows
Insulator show listings courtesy National Insulator Assocation
Happy Birthday!
age 81 Today!! Sun, October 12
age 62 Today!! Sun, October 12
age 63 Today!! Sun, October 12
age 50 Today!! Sun, October 12
age 69 Today!! Sun, October 12
age 66 Tomorrow! Mon, October 13
  Tomorrow! Mon, October 13
Happy Anniversary!
40 years Today!! Sun, October 12
52 years Tomorrow! Mon, October 13
63 years Tomorrow! Mon, October 13
What's New? Insulator Collectors On the Net! Go to the Porcelain Insulator Pages Navigation banner
Updated Tuesday
July 1, 2025
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 10/2025
*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 10/2025

Read it Online:
*Research Articles and StoriesUpdated 10/2025
*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 10/2025
*Insulators For Sale and Trade Updated 10/2025