Practically all of the distribution insulators Boston Edison used were glass and of the deep groove, side-tie varieties. Such as CD 164s, 165.1s and CD 167s manufactured from the 1910s onwards (i.e, Brookfields) through the 1960s by other popular makers. Many Star CD 164s have been found on their lines as well. Glass insulators are still reused by the present utility company upon pole changeovers.

Needham is a Boston suburb about 15 miles west of the city.