I was an installer-repairman for Michigan Bell. My job could be hazardous; and safety was always paramount. Unless insulators were involved!

Much of my collection was general from open wire phone lines, plus power and telegraph. Years ago, there was still a great deal of glass available.

My hooks always went with me on vacations despite protests from my wife and children. I managed to acquire several purple insulators on trips to Canada. Working on telephone lines, I always replaced any glass I "rescued". My dream was to someday find a carnival glass insulator in use.

Working late in St. Clair, Michigan one time, I was driving along a power line which paralleled a railroad. This was a power, telephone and telegraph lead. There were three power leads and numerous other circuits. We were never supposed to climb above primary power. I had never even considered such an act.

However, on the top lead, sixty feet above the railroad tracks, was a nonworking, giant carnival glass insulator. I had never seen a 'spare' in carnival glass before. This was my chance.

I was far out in the country. It was getting dark, and was raining. Nobody would ever see me if I was fast, which I tried to be. Quickly I made it to the top, above the primary power. But when I tried to unscrew the insulator, it wouldn't turn! I belted all the way out in my safety strap to get more leverage. Success!

Now there was another problem. The insulator was too large to fit into my pouch. I was sixty feet above crushed rock. There was no soft grass around. By this time I was sweating furiously; the rain was steady; and it was nearly completely dark.

Inspiration intervened. I had several rolls of tape on my body belt. The insulator bottom just fit into my pouch. So I securely taped the glass into the pouch and began descending.

The Pyrex insulator weighed 12 pounds, and slowed my descent. I was totally exhausted when I finally reached the ground.

Thinking it over later, I couldn't believe I actually had accomplished such a crazy stunt. I later learned from other utility workers that my stunt wasn't unique. But it was unsafe, and perhaps reckless.

I still have my Pyrex 453 (CD 326). It will never be for sale... at any price!

T.D. Smith