Found along the Hudson River...

[nym9nyj7]

Was walking along a road/railroad track following the Hudson River in Putnam County, New York, when I stumbled across an old pole that had been conveniently discarded in a ditch (because removing it once it became defunct would have been far too much work, apparently).

Anywho, still attached was the insulator pictured below. Because it's not glass I assume it's not that old, and because I have seen very similar, if not identical ones on E-Bay, I know it's not rare. But, other than a small logo there is nothing at all embossed on it.

Can anyone tell me a little bit about it? Does the logo mean anything to anyone? Thanks!! []

 

[nym9nyj7]

 

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Gould, Inc. (1976-1981)

Not old but it's a nice looking insulator...

 

[BillinMo]

Yup, Gould. They bought and operated the historic insulator factory in Victor, New York, originally built by Fred Locke in the early 1900s. Fred Locke was an early innovator and influenced much of the porcelain insulator industry in the USA. So even though your insulator is modern and common, it's got quite a heritage behind it!

This type would have been used for power distribution. The C marking below the logo indicates the industry-regulated neck size of the insulator for a pre-formed tie wire. The skirt is what we call "sky glaze," intended to blend in with the sky better than the older brown insulators. The black top is called "radio treatment," which helped reduce static for anyone trying to listen to an AM radio near the line.

 

[nym9nyj7]

Sweet! I honestly didn't think it would be that new, given the condition and style of the telephone pole I found it on. But, thinking about it, it makes sense that if the poll was still structurally sound, they could have replaced the insulators for years and years if need be before they finally replaced the pole, huh?

That's a cool tid-bit about the radio treatment too - thanks Billin!

 

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ORIGINAL: nym9nyj7

if the poll was still structurally sound, they could have replaced the insulators for years and years if need be before they finally replaced the pole, huh?

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