Have you ever looked at a telephone pole and noticed those glass or porcelain pieces on top? They might look like just decorations, but they actually have an important job in communication. These helpful items are called insulators, and they help keep our electrical wires safe and our phone calls clear.
Safeguarding the Flow of Electricity
Insulators have a key job: they stop electrical wires from touching the pole or the ground. Imagine trying to make a long-distance call, and your voice suddenly cuts out after a little while. That wouldn’t be fun, right? Insulators make sure all the electricity stays in the wires so our important phone calls can keep going without any problems.
The Variety of Insulators
These simple objects come in many different styles and colors. While a lot of the older insulators were made from glass or porcelain, some were made from wood and glass, and even animal parts! You’d be surprised at some of the unusual materials used. The size of the insulator is important too. Smaller ones are used for telephone and telegraph wires, while larger ones are made for high-voltage electrical wires. It’s like having a special section for insulators based on how much voltage they can handle!
Keeping Voltage in Check
When it comes to power lines, the voltage affects how big the insulator needs to be. Electricity can be a bit tricky and might try to jump across a distance. That’s where the design of insulators helps out. Insulators with wide “umbrella” shapes and large lower parts act like careful bouncers at a nightclub, keeping the wires away from the pole and stopping any accidents from happening.
A Surprising Hobby
Believe it or not, collecting insulators is a popular hobby! This started becoming popular in the 1960s when utility companies began burying their wires, leaving a lot of old insulators behind. As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. People who collect insulators come from all different backgrounds. Some like these glass pieces for how they look and use them to decorate windowsills and gardens, adding a bit of shine to their space. Others look for specific types of insulators. Prices can vary a lot; you might find one for less than a dollar or even get one for free at flea markets!
A Historical Touch
Most insulators that collectors have are between 70 and 145 years old, and some types haven’t been made since the early 1900s. Anything that’s old and no longer being produced often becomes collectible, and insulators are no different. They hold a piece of history and connect us to a time when communication was just starting to grow.
Appreciating the Role of Insulators
The next time you see one of those interesting glass or porcelain insulators on a telephone pole, take a moment to appreciate how important they’ve been in the history of communication. They might seem like old items, but they’ve made a lasting impact on how we connect with each other, whether through a phone call or a quick text message. Who knows? You might even feel inspired to start your own collection and join the many people who find beauty and history in these simple artifacts!
George W. Bush celebrates the arrival of his grandson, named in tribute to his great-grandfathers
Former U.S. President George W. Bush, now 78, joyfully announced the birth of his new grandson on social media.
On Tuesday, August 6, Bush shared a heartfelt photo on Instagram to celebrate the arrival of his daughter Barbara Pierce Bush’s second child with husband Craig Coyne. The couple, who already have a 2-year-old daughter, Cora Georgia, welcomed their son, Edward Finn, just days earlier.
In the sweet photo, Barbara and Craig are seen in a hospital bed, tenderly holding their newborn as they gaze at him with joy. “Welcome to the world, Edward Finn Coyne. @laurawbush and I are proud grandparents of our newest blessing, born on August 4 and lovingly named in honor of his great-grandfathers,” Bush captioned the post. He added, “Congratulations to Barbara, Craig, and big sister Cora Georgia.”
Barbara’s twin sister, Jenna Bush Hager, was the first to share the happy news on Monday, August 5. Jenna, co-anchor of the Today show, expressed her excitement about becoming an aunt again on Instagram, writing, “My sissy had a little mister and I fell madly in love with Edward Finn! ❤️💗👼.”
Jenna’s post included a series of photos from the family’s special moments after Edward’s birth. In one, Jenna is seen feeding her new nephew, while another shows Barbara cradling Edward with Jenna admiring the scene. A third photo captures Edward peacefully resting in his mother’s arms.
Though Jenna didn’t share specific birth details, one of the photos shows Edward wearing a hat from NYU Langone Health, suggesting Barbara may have given birth at the prestigious New York City hospital.
This is not the first time George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, have expressed their joy over becoming grandparents. When Barbara and Craig welcomed their daughter Cora in September 2021, the Bushes released a statement to announce the news.
“With full hearts, @laurawbush and I are delighted to announce the birth of our new granddaughter. Barbara gave birth to Cora Georgia Coyne on September 27, 2021, in Maine – not far from our family home where Barbara and Craig were married,” the couple shared at the time. “Cora is healthy and adorable, and we are proud and grateful.”
Now, with the addition of Edward Finn, the Bush family has even more to celebrate!
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