Since 1964 Nandor Schuminszky has collected over 10,000 photos and slides related to spaceflight and space research. Schuminszky, a maintenance man and mechanic on a sub-station of Budapest's Krisztina Telephone Exchange, became interested in space during primary school when he first became acquainted with the books of Jules Verne and other science-fiction writers. By the mid-sixties, his fancy was attracted by photos of cosmonauts and astronauts. After leaving secondary school a substantial part of his salary was put aside for acquiring materials for his collection.

Of course the work and money he has put into his collection cannot be calculated in terms of money - he considers it something priceless in its own right. Even today he drops in at second-hand book shops at least three times a week in quest of new material on space. Apart from the photos, slides and newspaper clippings stacked up in several wardrobes in his apartment, Schuminszky has a collection of models of Soviet and American satellites and rockets.

Schuminszky makes good use of the vast knowledge accumulated through his rich collection. He regularly gives lectures accompanied with slides to young people. His intention is to continue to constantly enrich his collection. Schuminszky's hobby relies on three factors: sufficient space to store his materials, an unflagging passion, and an understanding wife.