This picture was taken on 14 September 1935 in Gdynia, the day before the brand-new passenger vessel Piłsudski (gross register tonnage of 14,294) set sail for its maiden voyage to the New York City.

It was the first modern ship of the Polish merchant marine and truly a pioneer, all because of the sidedoors that led to the cargo hold.

As this memorable testimony shows, the portside opening was immediately used to roll on and off wheeled freight, belying the popular opinion that ro-ro is some new-fangled technology.

On the contrary, one could venture to say that it’s as old as the wheel itself, which, after all, is a contraption younger than a ship.

By the way, have you spotted the apparel the depicted people are wearing and how you can distinguish the class and societal rank by just looking at a piece of cloth?