I once dragged one of those ceramic powerline insulators across two international borders because I found it lying around and liked how it looked. It took up the majority of the space in my backpack, so I had to buy a second backpack and carry it on the front of my chest lol. Apparently the reason they have that odd shape is so that when it’s raining, water can’t make a continuous trickle between the wire and the pylon
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TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works 4 weeks ago
my grandpa has a collection of those glass caps they use on power towers
after searching for an image the correct term is “glass insulator for power lines” but I think “glass cap for power tower” sounds funner lol
I have a collection of those silica gel packets I find at clothing stores and supermarkets
renzev@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
gnu@lemmy.zip 4 weeks ago
Apparently the reason they have that odd shape is so that when it’s raining, water can’t make a continuous trickle between the wire and the pylon
That and also to increase the distance any charge has to travel across the surface of the insulator.
possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 4 weeks ago
I love those things
mister_flibble@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
I think collecting those was a bit of a thing in the 60s and 70s, I’ve run across multiple older folks who did. Pretty sure it eventually crossed with the “turn random shit into lamps” fad in the 70s because that seems to have become a fairly popular thing to do with them.
TriflingToad@sh.itjust.works 4 weeks ago
that’s interesting, had no idea there was a “turn shit into lamps” trend, that’s so funny. Thanks for sharing!
Localhorst86@feddit.org 4 weeks ago
The dad of a friend of mine does collect those, and ceramic ones. As an employee of the city, he got permission to open a local museum of insulators in a bulding owned by the city.
AlpacaChariot@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
…where does he keep them? Make sure you wash your hands after touching them!
Fredthefishlord@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 weeks ago
Wait are they lead? My grandparents have some on the window sill
AlpacaChariot@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Nope I’m pretty sure they are glass/ceramic, but they have a nice flared end so maybe they have other uses
Comment105@lemm.ee 4 weeks ago
Those packets are real nice sprinkled on bread rolls btw, also great in most kinds of stir fry / pan fry.
You should know if you have any of those real puffy pink ones, they’re particularly good.
LovableSidekick@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
“Silica gel packets?”
Ohhhh, you mean DO NOT EAT bags!
FooBarrington@lemmy.world 4 weeks ago
Oooh, like shoe flavor packets?
Rivalarrival@lemmy.today 4 weeks ago
You’re not my supervisor!