Subiect: Ever since ancient times, the Lotru Valley has been strongly connected to the development of the wood industry and wood processing due to the existence of the „green gold". In 1864, the Czech engineer Carol Novak is attracted by the great exploiting possibilities and he settles in Brezoi. On the basis of some documents found at the Vâlcea County Archives, I identified a few reasons which stood at the writing of this article: Prince Charles visit to Brezoi in April 1867; development of the infrastructure and communication; he rebuilt the road between Cozia and Şipoate (Cârligul Mare) in 1865, he transformed the river Olt into a water way for the transportation of salt and he accomplished the construction of the telegraph wire from Rm. Vâlcea to Sibiu; founder of the wood industry, in 1873 he builds the first sawmill in Brezoi and the second in the country after that from Galaţi; the contribution to the War of Independence by providing the necessary materials to the construction of the bridges from Giurgiu and Turnu Măgurele; he supported charity; the attachment which Carol felt towards Brezoi and his will to be buried there. Through these activities, the engineer Carol Novak had a substantial contribution to the development of the economic life of the area during the second period of the 19th century.
