What are they? Most everyone knows really, but I have been asked numerous times, "You collect insulators?" "What for?" "Why?" "Are they those little glass things up on the poles that the electric and telephone wires are on?"

Of course, all the time they are looking at me like I'm some kind of nut, but I patiently go on to explain, ''Yes, they are those little glass jewels up on the poles. Slowly, but surely, they are becoming obsolete because all the wires are going underground or companies are turning to cable. They will have no more use for insulators, at least as we know them.

"So it seems another era in our history is passing out of sight.

"Although insulators have only been made for approximately 105 years and really are not classified as antiques, they are collectibles. And beautiful they are; at least to a collector. There are many different colors and hundreds of different styles --plus many, many different company names."

By this time my listener has lost that "you're a nut" look and is really getting interested. They start to ask more intelligent questions such as, "How do we get the insulators?" and "How much are they worth?" (Some with dollar signs in their eyes!) Still others will tell about old ones they are using for flower borders or in cactus gardens or about insulators they have found on vacation and have given away. A few, not interested for themselves, will ask you if you know about an old line no longer in use that they remember.

Some will tell you about the old line back in their home state with all the different styles and colors on it. All the while, I am sitting and wondering if it is still there and will I ever be able to go back and explore.

Rarely does anyone ever offer to give you an insulator that they just happen to have lying around, generally in the way, that was on property when they bought it, or someone gave to them which they promptly forgot.

Their interest has been piqued and they are wanting to be collectors. But believe you me, if you have two of the same kind they are eager to have you give them any that you may have doubled. Isn't human nature funny, that way?

Seriously, this is a new hobby that is growing by leaps and bounds. I hardly think that collecting bottles grew any faster than the interest in collecting insulators. Already I know of one Club and I expect more to be starting any day. Of course bottles kind of paved the way with their clubs, shows selling and trading. Insulators seem to be following in their footsteps.

There are several books that have been written on insulators but for the beginner I would recommend "Woodward's First". He has spent several years in research on the subject and he gives a good historical background in his book.

"Tibbitts" is, also, a must as many people make up lists of their insulators they want to sell or trade, using either Woodward's C.D. numbers or Tibbitts' numbers. Sometimes both numbers are used as a means of identification.

I do not mean to slight anyone's books because each and every book on insulators that I have used has been informative. Many times you will find an insulator listed in one book and will not find it listed in any of the others.

So you see the more books you read the more acquainted you will be with insulators.

Just remember, "Even if we study to old age we shall not finish learning."