Hemingray-62 Lowex

Reprinted from "INSULATORS - Crown Jewels of the Wire", May 1971, page 6

Ross Reed, Long Beach, California writes: I have an insulator that is not in any of the books I have. It is a Herriingray-62 Lowex Made in U.S. A., clear. It is shaped similar to the McLaughlin-62. If you have any information on it, could you please send it to me.

In reply to Ross Reed:

As you know, the Hemingray-62 was a standard item and quite popular for many years. But your mention of one bearing the Lowex name is a surprise to me. However, in reality this is not strange.

The name LOWEX applies to the type of glass used. Molds for a number of styles of medium- and low-voltage distribution insulators were marked with the Lowex name in the 1930's. In advertising of that period, the trade mark was said to mean Low Expansion - Low Expense The glass was probably an attempt by Owens - Illinois to match the PYREX glass offered by Corning. It was supposed to be more resistant to temperature change than ordinary glass.