What to do with the glass insulators? Why not make a lamp out of them? Glass insulators were used for telephone and telegraph lines starting in 1850. The insulator was used to protect the wooden pole from the electrical current. These came in different styles and color of the glass. This clear glass insulator lamp is 13" tall and was made by Hemmingray comp0nay. The stem is hand pounded coper and the "leather like" shade is new. all are in excellent condition.