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Draft:Alexandru Popp

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  • Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest policy, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Tppp33 (talk) 15:20, 15 May 2025 (UTC)

Alexandru Popp

Born: July 28, 1898, Bucharest, Romania

Died: 1967, Romania

Occupation: Engineer, Industrialist, Political Figure

Early Life and Family

Alexandru Popp was born in Bucharest to Nicolae, a magistrate originally from Transylvania, and Zoe, a homemaker. He completed his secondary education at Gheorghe Lazăr High School in Bucharest, where he excelled academically and was known for his leadership and athletic skills. His close friend and classmate, playwright Mircea Ștefănescu, later described him as “the top of the class every year.” Popp continued his education in London, graduating from the prestigious Engineering Institute in 1922, where he received the “Associate of the City and Guilds of London Institute” title.

After his studies, Popp declined an offer to work in England, choosing instead to return to Romania to serve his country. He later married Evelina, with whom he had a son, Alexandru Nicolae, born in 1938.

Career at Uzinele și Domeniile Reșița (UDR)

Popp began his career at UDR, one of Romania’s largest industrial enterprises, in 1922 as a trainee engineer. His talent quickly led to promotions; by 1934, he became Deputy Director, and by 1942 he was appointed General Director of Operations. Under his guidance, UDR saw unprecedented expansion, including major projects like locomotive production and specialized machine manufacturing. Popp’s leadership also focused on worker welfare: he championed projects to build over 300 houses for employees, prioritizing those with large families or challenging work conditions .

Collaboration with Nicolae Mărgineanu

Popp was a pioneer in integrating psychological methods into industrial settings, collaborating with prominent psychologist Nicolae Mărgineanu. Together, they introduced aptitude testing, ergonomic workplaces, and new hiring practices that modernized labor management in Romania’s industrial sector. These innovations helped optimize productivity at UDR and were later adopted by other enterprises across the country, marking a significant development in Romanian industrial psychology .

Political Persecution

After World War II, Romania’s shift to communism put prominent industrial leaders like Popp in conflict with the new regime. In 1948, Popp, along with Mărgineanu and other UDR executives, was accused of “conspiracy and high treason.” This trial, known as the “Great Finance” trial, was a politically motivated move by the communists to eliminate perceived threats to their power. Popp was sentenced to life imprisonment on fabricated charges of sabotage and conspiracy, enduring 16 years in prison under harsh conditions until his release in 1964 due to declining health .

Legacy

Popp’s commitment to Romanian industry left a lasting legacy, particularly in the technical education and industrial psychology fields. His influence lives on in institutions bearing his name, such as the “Alexandru Popp” Industrial School in Reșița. His resistance to communist pressures and dedication to his employees’ welfare have cemented his reputation as a respected figure in Romania’s industrial history.

Personal Life and Final Years

Popp’s later life was marked by health challenges following his imprisonment. Despite his release, he struggled to reintegrate into society, facing restrictions on his professional activities and enduring continued surveillance by the authorities. His son, Alexandru N. Popp, documented his father’s resilience and the family’s hardships during the communist era, highlighting Popp’s lasting integrity and commitment to his principles despite significant personal cost. Popp passed away in 1967, three years after his release, with his legacy honored by his family and colleagues who remember his contributions to Romanian industry.

Category:Romanian engineers , Category:20th-century industrialists

References

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  • "Procesul Marii Finanțe". Jurnalul (in Romanian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
  • "Nicolae Mărgineanu". Romanian Philosophy – An Online Encyclopedia (in Romanian). Retrieved 2025-05-15.
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