ZSD Nysa

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

The 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 strengthened front suspension beam, there reinforced tires. In 1959, the first 200 units were designated for export, with Nysas that were destined to see a bit 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.

The Nysa, like any hero, also has its dark side – working for the militia. Blue Nysas spread terror 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 a 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.