Arcanum: The Evolution of Digital Archiving in Hungary
The transition from physical archives to digital databases is a monumental task that requires both technical precision and a passion for preservation. In Hungary, this journey was pioneered by Arcanum, a company that evolved from a small IT venture into a powerhouse of historical digitization. Founded by Sándor Biszak, Arcanum has spent decades transforming how the public accesses literary, legal, and historical records.
The Foundations of Arcanum
The origins of Arcanum lie in the intersection of chemistry and information technology. Sándor Biszak, a chemist by training who graduated in 1983, first developed an interest in digitization while working in the library of the Kőbánya Pharmaceutical Factory (currently known as Gedeon Richter). After gaining experience with databases in a cooperative during the mid-1980s, Biszak founded Arcanum on January 1, 1989.
The company's first major project was the creation of an electronic patent database for the Hungarian Patent Office, marking the beginning of its commitment to structured digital information.
From Floppy Disks to CD-ROMs
In the early 1990s, Arcanum ventured into the digitization of literary and religious texts. One of their earliest milestones was the manual typing of the Vizsoly Bible, which was initially distributed in 100 copies on floppy disks. However, as technology advanced, the company quickly pivoted to more efficient storage media.
By early 1990, Arcanum became the first publisher of CD-ROMs in Hungary. During this era, the company relied on manual typing and rigorous proofreading to produce high-quality digital editions. Their portfolio grew to include approximately 300 CDs, featuring significant works such as:
- A seven-language Bible
- The encyclopedia A Pallas nagy lexikona
- The complete works of Kálmán Mikszáth and Mór Jókai
- The archives of the literary journal Nyugat
As storage needs increased, the company eventually transitioned from CD-ROMs to DVDs.
The Era of Mass Digitization
Starting in 2006, Arcanum shifted its primary focus toward the large-scale digitization of historical documents in collaboration with Hungarian public institutions. This phase saw the company move beyond manual entry to mass digitization—the process of converting large volumes of physical documents into digital formats at high speed.
To achieve this, Arcanum implemented advanced scanning techniques inspired by the methods used for Google Books. They integrated Optical Character Recognition (OCR)—software that recognizes text within a scanned image and converts it into machine-readable text—to make their archives searchable and accessible.
Today, Arcanum continues to process vast amounts of data, including maps, books, newspapers, and archive materials.
Key Facts
- Founded: January 1, 1989, by Sándor Biszak.
- First Major Project: Electronic patent database for the Hungarian Patent Office.
- Pioneering Work: First Hungarian publisher of CD-ROMs.
- Scale of Production: Approximately 300 CDs issued during the early digital era.
- Current Capacity: Digitizing roughly 1 to 1.5 million pages per month (as of 2020).
- Workforce: 25 employees (as of 2024).
| Period | Primary Technology | Key Focus/Output |
|---|---|---|
| Late 1980s | Electronic Databases | Patent databases |
| Early 1990s | Floppy Disks & CD-ROMs | Bibles, Encyclopedias, and Literature |
| 2006 & Beyond | OCR & Mass Scanning | Historical archives, newspapers, and maps |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Arcanum and what was his background?
Arcanum was founded by Sándor Biszak, who graduated as a chemist in 1983 and developed an interest in IT systems while working at the Kőbánya Pharmaceutical Factory library.
What was the first project Arcanum undertook?
The company's initial task was the establishment of an electronic patent database for the Hungarian Patent Office.
How did Arcanum distribute its early digital works?
They began with floppy disks (notably for the Vizsoly Bible) before becoming the first Hungarian publisher to use CD-ROMs, and later transitioning to DVDs.
What technology does Arcanum use for mass digitization?
Arcanum uses advanced scanning techniques inspired by Google Books, combined with Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software to convert images of text into searchable digital data.
How many pages does Arcanum digitize monthly?
As of 2020, the company digitizes approximately 1 to 1.5 million pages per month.