N. R. "Woody" Woodward is the author of THE GLASS INSULATOR IN AMERICA, 1988 Report and developed the Consolidated Design Numbers identification system for glass insulators. 

From David Whitten, Clarksville, Indiana

QUESTION: Has there been any further research done regarding the star embossed insulators? I recently ran across information about the Star Glass Works (1869) of New Albany, Indiana and its successor DePauw’s Plate Glass Work (1880).

ANSWER: Unfortunately at this time we have no definite proof of the manufacturer of the STAR insulators. The reference to the Star Glass Works of New Albany, using the same data you have supplied, has been around for quite a few years and has been published as fact in at least one instance. Although the one notation indicates that they did manufacture insulators, it doesn’t fit the massive nationwide distribution of the STAR insulators that were marketed by General Electric Supply Co. in the early part of this century.

Since the name Star Glass Works was used 1869 to 1880, one would expect to find insulators of the styles in use during that period. Instead, the STAR insulators that we know fit a later period. For example; the June 17, 1890 patent date on a cable insulator; drip points on some styles; and the double petticoat, covered by an 1883 patent which would have expired in 1900.

Carrying the thought farther, even assuming that the star logo could have been used later by DePauw and American Plate Glass, one encounters the unlikely assumption that a firm making plate or window glass would also make insulators in the same plant. Insulators are the product of a plant equipped to make pressed and blown glassware, a totally different operation from the manufacture of plate glass and I know of no case where the two have been combined.

As a final thought, in my research across the country I have located several glass works using the name Star. For example I spent considerable time and effort in West Virginia attempting to establish a link to STAR insulators with a firm by that name there, but to no avail. Moreover, since the insulators were marketed by General Electric Supply, It is entirely possible that the firm that made them did not market them independently; and the firm name may not have included the word Star. Remember, MAYDWELL insulators were made by Crystalite Products; and most KNOWLES insulators were made by Novelty Glass Works!