A NASA intern Gary George paid $217 for 1,150 NASA tapes; 43 years later, 3 Apollo 11 recordings showing N
- Posted on September 13, 2026
- By Business News Today
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- 1 min read
In brief
A remarkable discovery of archival value occurred when a former NASA intern's modest $217.77 investment in surplus videotapes from 1976 transformed into an extraordinary windfall. Among 1,150 reels purchased at a government auction, three contained pristine first-generation Apollo 11 lunar footage documenting humanity's historic moon landing. After more than four decades, these priceless recordings were authenticated and auctioned at Sotheby's for $1.82 million, instantly converting Gary George into an accidental millionaire through one of the most valuable garage sale finds in history.
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A NASA intern Gary George paid $217 for 1,150 NASA tapes; 43 years later, 3 Apollo 11 recordings showing N
Former NASA intern Gary George spent just $217.77 on 1,150 surplus NASA videotapes in 1976, unaware that three reels contained rare first-generation footage of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walking on the moon. Around 43 years later, the Apollo 11 tapes sold at Sothebys for $1.82 million, making Gary George a millionaire.
