Questions Answered by N.R. Woodward
by N. R. Wooodward

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", October 1970, page 7

In reply to: "When did Hemingray switch from pointed to round drip points?"

The modern-type hemispherical drip points were adopted as standard on all Hemingray insulators about 1923 or 1924. Just previous to this time, there was a period of several years when insulators were made with extremely long, sharp pointed drip points. These particular insulators are extremely hard to find in perfect shape, with all of the drip points intact. Still earlier, during the period 1893 to about 1918, the drip points varied considerably. As a general rule, they were sharp-pointed, but were short and not so easily broken. However, one sometimes finds these older Hemingray insulators with round drip points. This may be either because they were intended to be round, or because the glass failed to fill out the tips of the sharp points. As a result, one sometimes finds an insulator with sharp drip points on one side and round on the other.

In reply to: "During what period of time was the Barclay Patent (CD 147) insulator manufactured? "

Exact dates are not available. It is almost certain that the insulator went into production shortly after the date of the patent; and the latest catalog reference we have at this time is in the year 1918. Catalogs from the early 1920's do not show it; so 1918 was very likely near the end of production for that number.