Back in the July, 1978, p. 18-20, issue of Crown Jewels of the Wire, I wrote an article on a type of threadless insulator that was invented by George Floyd of Cincinnati, Ohio. It was patented on May 14, 1867. The patent involved a special type of pin, made of brass, steel, or iron, that was parted at the top that would fit into a special insulator with corresponding indentations at the top of its pinhole. The indentations in the insulator were opposite each other, as can be seen in the patent drawing, and prevented accidental removal from the pin. Not too long after the initial article appeared in Crown Jewels, Skip Plunkett (Boonton, N. J.) wrote to me about a threadless they had just purchased. It was similar to a threaded CD 131.4, but was threadless. The top of the pinhole was peculiar in that it resembled the Floyd patent drawing. At a later date, I was able to inspect the insulator myself. Although the two depressions at the top of the pinhole were not as pronounced as is shown in the patent drawing, it certainly did make one wonder if it was a "Floyd."

At the London, Ohio, show held this past November, I was fortunate to notice a similar threadless on one of the sales tables. Upon inspecting it, I found it to be most likely a "Floyd." The indentations were more pronounced on this unit, especially on one side. There also was a very defined mold line at the top center of the pinhole. It appeared as though a plunger was inserted into the insulator when it was being formed which had a mechanism in it that allowed the top portion to expand and form the two indentations opposite each other. Or perhaps a special tool was inserted which expanded after being inserted, and contracted prior to withdrawal. Regardless of the molding technique, it left a very pronounced mold line at the pinhole top, where the glass, in a plastic state, was allowed to press into the cavity of the expanding plunger or tool. It was the conclusive evidence needed to confirm that it was either a "Floyd" or an insulator very closely resembling one. The insulator had been purchased at an auction a short time prior to the London show and now resides in Colorado in the collection of Russ and Linda Hughes.

The insulator is pale green in color, a tint that I would term "mint green." A nice "goopy" streak extending from the base and into the dome (see photo) adds to its beauty. The style of the insulator very closely resembles the type shown in the patent drawing. The threadless unit is also very similar to some unembossed threaded units which were used in Wyoming along the Union Pacific Railroad. Both the threaded and threadless units were formed in a three-piece mold, which is evident in looking at the mold lines which travel up the insulator's sides, opposite each other to a large circular button at the insulator's top, formed by the third mold section.

Going from memory, I believe the color of the threadless was the same, or nearly so, as a threaded unit that I found along the UPRR a couple years ago. It may have possibly been formed in the same mold. Unfortunately, an attempt in locating the threaded unit, which is buried away somewhere around here, proved fruitless, so for the time being I am unable to make any positive claims as to it coming from the same mold and being exactly the same color. It would be interesting if it were the same. I will keep you posted as to what I am able to confirm in the future.

The manufacturer of the threadless unit is unknown, but the fact that Floyd was from Cincinnati brings to mind the Hemingray plant which is one possibility. Hemingray is a likely candidate as the manufacturer, but keep in mind that it is just that, a possibility, as there is no conclusive evidence as yet that it was a Hemingray product. Perhaps further research by someone in Cincinnati might reveal what Floyd did as an occupation. The city directories might indicate who employed him, which could possibly give us some clues. If anyone has any info to add, or if you too have a similar insulator, please let me hear from you.

The recently found threadless resembling the Floyd patent. Color is a pretty light green with a "milky-olive" streak.