Erika Portable Typewriter, Arabic Script

Made by VEB Robotron-Erika (attributed)c. 1955Los Angeles, California

An Arabic-script Erika portable sourced from Morocco — one of the collector's prize script variants, specifically named in his NPR interview. Machines built for non-Latin scripts required re-engineered keybanks and typebars; survivors are scarce.

Provenance

c. 1955

Manufactured for Arabic-language markets

attributed

2017

Named by the collector in his NPR interview on the collection

confirmed

2026

Digitally preserved in Relic

confirmed

Current Custodian

Tom Hanks

Los Angeles, California

Request Research Access

Access Matrix

Digital viewingpublic
Additional photographsby request
Remote video inspectionavailable
Research visitowner approval
Temporary research loancase by_case
Museum exhibition loanavailable
Scientific samplingnot permitted
Commercial licensingcontact owner

Record Metadata

CategoryIndustrial Design

MaterialsSteel body, Arabic typebars and keybank

Dimensions32 × 30 × 12 cm

ConditionOperational; rare script intact

Digital Record

24 high-res images (8,192 × 6,144)

3D Mesh / Photogrammetry

Precise digital measurements

Doc. Score: 87/100Scanned 8/30/2026

Cite this object

Relic Archive. (c. 1955). Erika Portable Typewriter, Arabic Script [Object record]. Relic Object RL-1955-007034.