ZSD Nysa

A crisp Monday morning in People's Republic of Poland. The first ray of sun falls on a polished wall unit, the kettle whistles from the kitchen, and citizens prepare to leave their homes to rush to the factory. In the streets, the morning bustle, typical for cities and towns where production is in full swing, and norms are not just met, but proudly exceeded with a surplus. However, this doesn't happen by itself. Behind the production success of the factories, behind delivering products to consumers, behind trade in general – stands (or rather, drives) Nysa, a versatile delivery van with many faces.

Nysa was created at the Delivery Vehicle Factory in 1957, and its regular production then continued until 1994. Its versions were improved year by year – here a reinforcement of the front suspension beam, there reinforced tires. In 1959, the first 200 units were designated for export, with Nysas that were destined to see a piece of the world being improved compared to those that remained in the country forever. The biggest export boom occurred in 1973-74, when 74% of the produced units were sent abroad.

Nysa, like every hero, also has its dark side – working for the militia. Blue Nysas spread fear on the streets of Polish cities, frightening citizens with the menacing expression of their angular bumpers. The role of a police van fades into the background when one hears that Nysa transported the first post-war Polish expedition to the Himalayas, bringing climbers to the summit of Malubiting.

The author of the drawing is Wrocław artist Paweł Grabowski.