Warsaw Museum of Technology

The National Museum of Technology in Warsaw, established in 1950, is the largest institution of its kind in Poland dedicated to technical heritage. It is located in the southwestern wing of the monumental Palace of Culture and Science—a prime example of socialist realist architecture and an iconic symbol of post-war Warsaw. The museum was founded on the basis of the pre-war Museum of Industry and Technology, and its management was entrusted to the Supreme Technical Organization (Naczelna Organizacja Techniczna), highlighting the importance of technology in Polish culture and science. The museum's history has been turbulent. After the closure of the Museum of Technology and Industry NOT in 2017, the institution remained inactive until January 2022. During this period, its collections were at risk, and decisions regarding its future sparked considerable public debate. Following renovations and updates to meet fire safety regulations, the museum finally reopened its doors to visitors, introducing exhibitions dedicated to the history of transport, computers, and the contributions of Poles to global science and technology. The museum's rich collections include highly valuable exhibits related to the history of Polish technology, such as motorcycles, radio receivers, geodesic instruments, and unique machines like the Odra 1305 computer and the Enigma cipher machine. Its diverse exhibitions cover topics ranging from transport and metallurgy to computer technology. Another notable exhibit is the Aeroskop—the world's first hand-held film camera with an automatic drive mechanism. The museum is actively involved in promoting science through educational programs, museum lessons, workshops, and events such as the Night of Museums. It also houses a library with over 14,000 prints and an extensive collection of historical books. The contemporary activities of the museum continue the tradition of its pre-war predecessors, and its collections hold not only educational but also cultural value, demonstrating the profound impact of technology on societal development.