How To Display Your Insulators
by Robert Lloyd
Reprinted from "Crown Jewels of the Wire", January 1986, page 19
Have you ever looked at a display of insulators and they looked something
like this? (Fig. A)
It may have many exotic pieces, but they have very little effect. There's no
organization, no theme, no symmetry; it doesn't "say" anything. It's
just a mob.
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Fig. A
What about your own collection? You've already arranged it by C.D. and
company, now what? All you need is a group of your favorite insulators, a
display case or shelves, and some imagination. The difficult part can be picking
your favorites. It's true, the more you have the more options you have. But then
it’s not what you have, it’s what you do with it.
Every insulator has a story behind it, replete with facts and details. Think
what they are. Things like; who made it, when, where, for what application, who
it was made for, sequence of development, embossing, etc., etc. Nothing is
insignificant. You may be surprised by all you know (or would like to know!)
With all that information, try and relate it in some way to all those other
insulators. It may be things they have in common or even their differences. Once
you have divided them into groups, arrange them within. Experiment. It can be
quite a game trying to find different combinations. You may think you've tried
everything but in time something else will occur to you and you shuffle them
again.
Here are two examples:
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The display on the left doesn't say much but it has a certain aesthetic
appeal. While the one on the right is almost the opposite. If possible try for a
balance of the two. How you represent the insulators gives them almost a
language or a code. Another insulator collector would be able to look at your
display and read what you are trying to say.
Maybe you will realize that several additional insulators you don't have in your
collection would really add content or context to your exhibit. This is what
shows are for. Conversely, maybe one or two insulators are out of place and
detract from the overall picture.
Looking at your display you may realize that you have a specific interest. This
is a progression of the insulator disease. It's called "specializing".
But don't worry, it's seldom fatal, and you'll be in good company.
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