We had the fortunate luck one day to discover three very unusual insulators near our home, two CD 142.4 3 and a CD 142 TS-2 (with just that embossing, TS-2). They were together on abandoned lines along the local railroad, and easily accessible. That day we even skipped by (amber) LOWEX-512 cable insulators and shiny carnival PYREX 63's just to get these odd finds. 

Not being too familiar with the 3 (backward S on both), and not aware of its rarity, we figured they were worth as much as the listed CD 142 "HEMINGRAY-W.U.T. CO./TS-2". Checking up in the '76 & '77 price lists, we found them to be worth above $300.00, and our TS-2 unlisted and 'unknown' (Is it?). 

We wrote to Mr. N. R. Woodward, our friend, inquiring about our finds. Besides the information given on the TS-2 in his 1973 REPORT, he sent us copies of technical data from the early files of the Western Union Telegraph Company, consisting of specifications and installation of TS-2 insulators in 1935 as an "attempted perfect insulator" experiment. We would like to share with any carnival glass collectors or collectors of "HEMINGRAY", and all readers, some facts taken from these spec. sheets on the TS-2 as far as purpose, treatment, installation, etc. Information as far as the TS 3 could only be assumed, since there is no reference to it on the sheets. 

The TS-2 and TS 3 were experimental telegraph insulators developed by the Engineering Department of Western Union to be used as a test, and not for standard telegraph work. They were made by OWENS-ILLINOIS (l935). Both were designed as low-leakage insulators. The TS-2's copper bushing and the TS 3's glass insert were used for this purpose. We wonder if "TS" in this case could possibly mean "TREATED SURFACE", since they are telegraph insulators, unlike the telephone type, CD 129. The TS- 2, or "treated single-petticoat side groove" (as it's referred to on the sheets), was designed with special attention to protecting the inner surface against dirt and keeping the insulator electrically resistant. The carnival treatment was supposed to stop static and electric noise. At one time Corning Glass Works tried to sue Western Union because they held the patent on the carnival treatment, but there were differences in the intention of its use. Corning's was for visual effect, or as marker-insulator coloring; and Western Union's was for electrical reasons.

According to the specifications for the TS-2, Western Union clearly made a point of placing the manufacturer's name, a mold number, date code, and W.U.T. CO./TS-2 on these insulators. Ours has no such lettering, only TS-2. This could be a sample type insulator, or the earliest embossing used.

The light carnival coloring was supposed to be sprayed on the interior and exterior petticoat. Ours has carnival only inside the interior an skirt and around the edge of the upper wire ridge. (Are other TS-2's like this one, or do they all have outside skirt color?!) Possibly several thousand TS-2 insulators were made for testing. Production was limited due to failure in actual use of TS-2's on telegraph lines.

Our assumption is that when moisture came in contact with the copper bushing, this remained there and eventually reacted to form copper-oxide residues. This made the bushing greenish-black, and the insulator electrically unstable or highly conductive. Here are some interesting facts from the data:\

The grade of glass had to be free from defects and impurities while being, if not colorless, only slightly green tinted. The copper bushing and iridizing solution (carnival) were supplied by the engineering department of Western Union, not OWENS-ILLINOIS (HEMINGRAY). One gallon of iridizing solution could treat 700 insulators. After iridizing, the insulators were carefully placed into an annealing lehr. The manufacturer (0.-I.) had to supply all iridizing equipment. All had to be washed and tested after annealing. The test was to see if water would form a large drop at the inside of the shoulder after running all through the path of the inner threads. Insulators were rejected for usage if water ran across the inside threads or refused to shake loose from the insulator. This would be an indication of incomplete washing or iridizing. Insulators were rejected if they had air bubbles, blow holes, off-center threads, "fins", checks, cracks, rough edges, or blotchy carnival treatments. (The TS-2 we have has the whole top lop-sided.) 

The date of the "inventing" of the TS-2 was JULY 23, 1935, specifications arranged on SEPT. 6, 1935, and provisional specifications (installation specs.) set forth MARCH 16, 1935. As to the installation of TS-2's on lines owned by Western Union, the procedure was very important and carefully planned. Insulators were not to be used if they fell in mud, dirt, water, etc. Wooden pins should be complete and not split, having the least amount of build-up, or it was to be replaced. No contaminant should be inside the bushing, or the leakage path would short out. Inserts (bushings) had to be kept if cracked insulators were discarded. By the way, in this data the insulating pin was called a COB and STANDARD INSULATOR GAUGE, developed DECEMBER 21, 1914. 

As to the experimental TS 3 - there is really no information, except that little more than 100 were made, and they are usually found together near TS-2 insulators. Their iridized glass insert was made with expert precision; there are very fine-machined lines around it. Our 3's have two different appearances -- one is a "rusty" medium carnival, while the other is an irridescent light yellowish-gold carnival. It has an "olive oil" appearance. 

Both inserts have a rough inside edge where the glue was supposedly applied. The glue should have been placed where it comes in contact with the insulator, and not at the dead air space inside the insert where it was useless. The inserts were found resting on the crossarm separate from the insulators. There was some exhaust film inside the insulator only on the area where exposure could reach, below the insert. This would mean the insert could've been connected properly for all that time in use, and recently loosened away from the insulator. The 3's we have are chipped in the same place, on the upper wire ridge, which is an obvious stress point.

In the picture the TS-2 is in the middle of the two 3's.

If anyone else has a CD 142 TS-2 with just this embossing, or a TS 3 they found, let us know.

Mr. & Mrs. Ken Crawford 
14 Shepard Terrace 
West Rutherford, NJ 07073