I was amazed. I had no idea anybody collected these things. My parents and my grandmother have always had a few of them, mostly porcelain pieces, sitting in the garden. My grandfather brought them home while working with the Southern California Edison Company. I always found them attractive and interesting, but didn't realize anyone else would feel the same way.

A dizzying array of insulators for sale at a show in Maryland.

Inspired by that website, I began researching the hobby. I quickly realized that they made a lot of beautiful pieces and stuck them on the top of poles! I wanted some for myself.
 
 

My grandfather, Charles J. Walton, Sr., meggers the lines for trouble.

U-172 "Haystack" picked by my grandfather.
This is a cool piece with a neat glaze, plus lots of sentimental value.