Warsaw Radio Mast
Former longwave radio mast at Konstantynów near Gąbin, central Poland; the tallest structure on Earth from 1974 until its collapse in 1991.
At a glance
| Source | Author | Role | In one line |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Bizarre Bases of Antenna Towers | Practical Engineering | subject | The record-breaking mast that fell when its guy wires were swapped in the wrong order. |
The Bizarre Bases of Antenna Towers — Practical Engineering (2025)
Source: Original · Readwise highlight
Soaring to 646 meters or 2,120 feet, the Warsaw Radio Mast was built to broadcast radio programs to Polish-speaking audiences across Europe.
- Role: subject
- In the article: The piece opens with the mast: built in 1974, the tallest structure on Earth, it broadcast Polish-language radio across Europe. By 1991 its guy wires needed replacing; on 8 August 1991 a main cable was released before the temporary ones were in place, the wind twisted the tower and it fell, injuring no one.
- Why it matters: The collapse is the hook for the explainer on how guyed towers and their pinned bases work; the rest of the piece is generic engineering.