Search for: [Abstract = "After World War II ended, Poland was one of the most backward European countries as regards the development of motorisation. It was the result both of the war destructions and the heritage ofthe Second Polish Republic. The first decade after the WWII was particularly adverse for private car owners – a small number of cars, almost nonexistent possibility to buy a car, restrictions in movement of people – all those practically brought the development of individual motorisation to a halt. Changes were brought about by the political events of 1956. The new authorities, despite their unfavourable opinions of individual motorisation, could not remain blind to the growing aspiration of Polish people, including their desire to have an own car. Another important voice belonged to a wide array of experts who regarded the development of automotive industry as a chance for modernisation, not only of Polish industry but also the Polish society itself. The discussion among experts revealed not only a ‘huge need for motorisation’ but also references to interesting transformations triggered in the societies of Western Europe by the possession of an own car. Despite significant changes in the state policy, the time of Władysław Gomułka was a wasted opportunity, and only the 1970s brought about a breakthrough in the development of mass motorisation in Poland."]

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