Climbers
Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", May 1976, page 3
Dear Don & Dora;
You will find enclosed two letters that are self-explanatory, along with a
picture. I think that Mr. Klein's letter is very interesting and that others
will feel the same way.
Feel free to use any part of these letters for Crown Jewels and the picture
too if it will print okay.
We are looking forward to the best show ever on April 10 & 11. We have
living in our county descendents of William Brookfield and Root Glass Company of
Atlanta. We plan to honor these people at our show and also make them honorary
life members of the MT club.
U.S. Rep. Bill Chappel is going to open our show for us and we will make him
an honorary member also.
We are expecting several insulator displays; if you would like to send us
Crown Jewels ribbons they would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill Dreggors
- - - - - - - - -
Mathias Klein & Sons, Inc,
January 27, 1976
7200 McCormick Rd.
Chicago,
Ill. 60645
Dear Sir:
I began collecting glass power insulators and other "go-withs"
about six years ago. Among these items is a pair of homemade climbers. They are
made from buggy springs with the gaffs forged and attached by a blacksmith and
are about 75 years old.
I am in the process of making up an exhibit for the Volusia Co Bicentennial
Commission and when I began to describe the climbers I thought it would be
interesting to know who made the first climbers and when. Did they appear
basically as they do today?
I hope you can answer these questions for me. Any literature and pictures you
could send would also be greatly appreciated.
I started my career with Florida Power in 1946 as a Groundman and in that
time have bought and used many of your tools and know that you are the leader in
this field.
Thank you for your time and any assistance you can give me.
Sincerely,
W. J. Dreggors, Jr.
General Line Foreman
P. 0. Box 48
DeLand, Florida 32720
Mr. W. J. Dreggors, Jr.
February 2, 1976
General Line Foreman
Florida Power
Corporation
P 0 Box 48
DeLand, Florida 32720
Dear Mr. Dreggors:
We have your letter of January 27 and are attaching hereto a photograph of
what we believe were the first pole climbers manufactured in the United States.
These climbers date back to approximately 1870 and were a direct take-off by
my grandfather on a design used in the black forests of Germany to collect
bird's eggs from nests in the trees. Please note that only one climber strap was
used, namely at the top of the leg iron, and that the leg iron ran down the
outside of the leg rather than the inside as has been standard for some 70
years. To our knowledge these are the last in existence and thus are valuable to
us.
In approximately 1901 the Eastern style climber, which became the standard in
this country, was introduced, again by my great grandfather. About this same
time the Stevens Manufacturing Company, now succeeded by Buckingham
Manufacturing Company, introduced the same design.
From that date until about 1936, climbers did not materially change in
design; however, in 1936 or thereabouts, the Brooks replaceable gaff climber,
having an adjustable sleeve for sizing, was introduced by Melling Forge Company
in Michigan. The successor corporation here is Mine Safety Appliances of
Pittsburgh.
In 1949 we introduced our first adjustable climber, and in 1958 our first
adjustable climber with replaceable gaffs.
Effective October 30, 1975, we discontinued our pole climbers, except our new
C1972-AR climber which was introduced in 1972, and which is, in our opinion, the
safest climber on the market. It has been the most exhaustively tested climber
both by us and the Bell System of any climber ever placed on the market.
We do still manufacture a fixed gaff adjustable tree climber; however, are
hoping by the end of this year to introduce a new tree gaff only which will fit
our 1972-AR climber leg iron, thus eliminating the necessity of producing the
1907-A tree climber.
If we can be of further service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Good luck in your endeavor.
Very truly yours,
MATHIAS KLEIN & SONS, INC
M. A. Klein, Jr.
President
7200 McCormick Road
Chicago, Ill. 60645
| 
)