Specimen?

[Fenndango]

Why do insulator collectors call broken insulators specimens? I studied biology. We didn't take fish without tails or a missing head and call it a specimen and keep it for study. This drives me nuts.

 

[indianainsulators]

Ha! Great question. The term was used long before I got into the hobby, or even was born, so I can't tell you the origin. But I collect specimen insulators, and the same thought has crossed my mind!