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1981 Robotron 20 Serial # 493920 1981 Robotron 20 typewriter, Serial # 493920 Paolo Dal Chiele's 1981 Robotron 20 typewriter. 2025-11-12 From the Virtual Typewriter Collection of Paolo Dal Chiele: 1981 Robotron 20 Serial # 493920 Finally, unboxed.
Brand new typewriter still in the original packaging that, after some hesitation, I have decided to take out from the box after almost 45 years.
Surprise, surprise...
According to the quality certificate the typewriter has been completed on November 11th, 1981, but the serial number on the typewriter, the certificate and on the box does not match with the production number in the database. The cover is made of plastic instead of metal, and the logo is also different from that on the other two Models 20 that were apparently part of the same lot.
Interesting to observe all the safety stuff to prevent damages during the transport.

Update. The serial number of the mechanical standard produce by VEB Robotron - Optima is confusing. Seven digits serial numbers seems to have been used for portable typewriters, while standard typewriter had six digits serial numbers. Considering that seems that later model had lower serial numbers as in the case of the three Robitron 20 that I have, it is possible that the first digit was simply omitted.
Another interesting aspect is that conforming to Eberhard Lippman (AEG-Olympia-Optima Büromaschinen aus Erfurt 1924-2004), the Model 20 was not produced with the brand name Robotron but only with the brand name Daro. The book include a list of the mechanical typewriters produced by VEB Robotron - Optima indicating model, brand and period of production, that I have included to the gallery together with the picture of a Daro 20.

1981 Robotron 20 #493920

Status: My Collection
Hunter: Paolo Dal Chiele (pdcox)
Created: 11-10-2025 at 12:48PM
Last Edit: 11-12-2025 at 12:32PM

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Description:

Finally, unboxed.
Brand new typewriter still in the original packaging that, after some hesitation, I have decided to take out from the box after almost 45 years.
Surprise, surprise...
According to the quality certificate the typewriter has been completed on November 11th, 1981, but the serial number on the typewriter, the certificate and on the box does not match with the production number in the database. The cover is made of plastic instead of metal, and the logo is also different from that on the other two Models 20 that were apparently part of the same lot.
Interesting to observe all the safety stuff to prevent damages during the transport.

Update. The serial number of the mechanical standard produce by VEB Robotron - Optima is confusing. Seven digits serial numbers seems to have been used for portable typewriters, while standard typewriter had six digits serial numbers. Considering that seems that later model had lower serial numbers as in the case of the three Robitron 20 that I have, it is possible that the first digit was simply omitted.
Another interesting aspect is that conforming to Eberhard Lippman (AEG-Olympia-Optima Büromaschinen aus Erfurt 1924-2004), the Model 20 was not produced with the brand name Robotron but only with the brand name Daro. The book include a list of the mechanical typewriters produced by VEB Robotron - Optima indicating model, brand and period of production, that I have included to the gallery together with the picture of a Daro 20.

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Hunter: Paolo Dal Chiele (pdcox)

Paolo Dal Chiele's Typewriter Galleries [ My Collection ] [ My Sightings ]

Status: Typewriter Hunter
Points: 3125

Interested in historic motoring and vintage cars, I received a typewriter as a bonus when I bought and old off-road car. The previous owner had found somewhere a typewriter produced for the German army and when he sold me the car he gave me the typewriter too. As I learned later, it was a1961 Olympia SM7 Robust..
Of the typewriters I value more character than perfection, the signs that time has left and the stories - or fragments of stories - of those who used them ...


RESEARCH NOTE: When researching the Robotron 20 on a computer with lots of screen real estate, you may find that launching the Robotron Serial Number page and the Robotron 20 By Model/Year/Serial page in new browser windows can give you interesting perspectives on changes throughout the model series.

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