The Beginnings of Atmospheric Electricity Measurements at the Geophysical Observatory in Świder
A dream of a Polish magnetic observatory
The story begins with professor Benedykt Stanisław Kalinowski, a physicist deeply involved in scientific education in Warsaw. Inspired by international efforts to map the Earth’s magnetic field, he campaigned for the creation of a Polish magnetic observatory. After securing public and private support – including help from the Mianowski Fund, he established the Observatory in Świder between 1913 and 1915.
From magnetism to atmospheric electricity
By the 1920s, scientists worldwide were showing growing interest in atmospheric electricity. International research bodies even recommended that each country maintain at least one observatory capable of continuous measurements. Responding to this global movement, and foreseeing that nearby railway electrification might one day threaten magnetic measurements, Kalinowski proposed expanding Świder’s work into this new field.
The breakthrough
A crucial moment came in 1928, when the Observatory received a substantial grant from the National Culture Fund (Polish: Fundusz Kultury Narodowej). This made it possible to refurbish a dedicated pavilion for atmospheric electricity measurements built in 1925, but most importantly to purchase modern scientific equipment. Continuous measurements began on 1 October 1929, marking the start of a decade of pioneering observations.
Crisis and war
The 1930s brought financial difficulties and staff shortages. Still, the Observatory continued working, recording atmospheric potential gradient every day. Tragically, during the early months of World War II, the carefully prepared results and manuscripts summarising the 1929-1938 dataset were destroyed during German bombardments of Warsaw. Only fragments, and memories survived. Measurements of the electrical conductivity of the air, and other planned experiments, were unfortunately postponed, and only started after World War Two.
TIMELINE
The timeline dates and events follow the published historical account of Świder’s first decade of atmospheric electricity observations: construction of atmospheric electricity pavilion, National Culture Fund support, continuous atmospheric potential gradient records from 1 Oct 1929, first setup description in 1932, interruption and loss during 1939.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1915 | Observatory magnetic buildings constructed. |
| 1925 | Pavilion for atmospheric electricity completed. |
| 1928 | Funding from National Culture Fund allows purchase and installation of Benndorf electrometers. Electric pavilion is refurbished. |
| 1 Oct 1929 | Continuous measurements of atmospheric potential gradient begin. |
| 1932 | First scientific description of the setup and early measurements published by Kalinowski. |
| 1937 | Observatory officially renamed “Geophysical Observatory”. |
| 1939 | War stops observations; results destroyed during bombings of Warsaw. |
| 1948 | Observations resumed after Second World War |
Last updated 20 March 2026