Introduction to Split-Flap Displays
Split-flap displays have long captured the imagination of travelers and onlookers alike, serving as a focal point in bustling train stations and airports around the world. A split-flap display is a digital electromechanical display device that presents changeable alphanumeric text and occasionally fixed graphics. This iconic display technology, often called split flap or split-flap TV, is instantly recognizable by the rhythmic sound and mesmerizing motion as each flap flips to reveal new information. The split flap display board is made up of rows and columns of rotating flaps, each capable of showing different letters, numbers, or symbols. Each character position in a split-flap display consists of a motorized drum holding a set of split cards (flaps), with each module responsible for showing one character. The flaps are painted or silkscreened with characters or graphics, and are flipped precisely to display the desired information. As the flaps flip in sequence, they create a unique visual and auditory experience that draws attention and makes information updates feel almost magical.
Despite the rise of digital screens and modern electronics, the enduring popularity of split-flap displays is rooted in their distinctive style and the sense of nostalgia they evoke. Customers are often captivated by the familiar clacking sound and the anticipation as messages change before their eyes. While traditional split flap boards have sadly become less common due to the cost and complexity of maintaining mechanical units, their charm continues to inspire new forms of display technology.
Today, innovations like Split-Flap TV bring the classic split flap experience into the digital age. By operating on standard television screens, Split-Flap TV recreates the look, sound, and feel of vintage split-flap boards at a fraction of the cost. This modern approach allows businesses and venues to create engaging, retro-inspired displays that connect with customers and make any space feel special. Whether in a restaurant, office, or retail shop, the magic of split-flap displays lives on—now more accessible and versatile than ever.
Evolving from Static Signage to Changeable Signage
Standard static signs are great for things that don’t change often, like the name of your shop or a directional sign.
But what about things that are always changing? Like your daily specials or the time that a stagecoach or train will be arriving?
Today, we’d just put this information on a digital signage display. But before the advent of television and computers, how were these sorts of changes communicated?
One early solution to this was chalkboards. Chalkboards were commonly used for changeable signage before the advent of split-flap displays. However, it was hard on large chalkboards to write large letters legibly, making clear letter display a challenge, and someone had to stand on a ladder to change large chalkboard displays.
Birth of Split Flap Display Boards
For an in-depth look at the history and mechanics of split-flap display boards, it’s helpful to understand how individual electromechanical modules evolved into today’s digital interpretations.
As technology progressed, people started experimenting with electromechanical ways of displaying information. An Italian clock-making company, Solari di Udine, partnered with Italian designer Gino Valle to develop the first electromechanical moving sign to display the time in railway stations and sold its first device in 1956 to the Liege railway Station in Belgium. A dedicated team of engineers and specialists was involved in the design, manufacturing, and installation of these early split flap display boards, ensuring quality and reliability.
The split flap clock consisted of 4 flaps with white numbers on a black background. As time moved forward, the motor turned the rotors so that gravity would flip the flap over to show the next number. It was amazing how all of these little flaps could be in sync with each other and work together to tell time! Each unit operates independently to display the correct character and can be easily replaced if necessary, contributing to the system’s long-term durability.
My parents used to take me to a restaurant about 16km from our home that had a split flap clock and I and my younger brother were mesmerized watching the clock, especially when the hour would change and more flaps would flip over all at once.
Eventually, the company, with the help of Belgian inventor John Meyer, expanded the concept from 4 flaps to 40 flaps, allowing them to expand beyond showing time to showing letters as well. For example, a split flap display board could be programmed to show train schedules, inspirational quotes, or holiday greetings, demonstrating its versatility in public and commercial spaces.
The popularity of these split-flap display boards soon became so great that they were installed in train stations and airports across the globe. Split-flap display boards are often installed near doors to provide real-time updates to travelers as they enter or exit, making information easily accessible. The clacking sound of the boards is familiar to multiple generations of travelers, who associate it with their favorite travel memories. One notable example is the iconic split-flap board at New York’s Penn Station, which became a beloved symbol for commuters and tourists alike.
Split-Flap Display Board Evolution
Cost and Complexity of Electromechanical Displays
While there are still some vintage split-flap display boards running today, they have been largely superseded by modern split-flap display alternatives using TV screens and computer monitors because of the cost of maintaining the electromechanical displays and the greater flexibility of modern digital signage.
There are a few companies selling new electromechanical split-flap displays, but each display costs many thousands of dollars, starting at $15,000+. This cost is understandable as there are over 10,000 moving parts.
Digital Split-Flap Displays for Modern Businesses
Our company’s innovation is to bring the nostalgic charm of digital split-flap displays history to modern TV screens.
Our Split-Flap TVs are perfect for creating a digital signage network in any business or venue—whether it’s a retail storefront, restaurant or bar, school or university campus, or even a hospital or medical office. This kind of innovative retro message board setup helps businesses modernize communication without losing vintage charm. Split-Flap TV is especially popular in bars, where it can display daily specials, menu items, or promotional messages to enhance the ambiance and engage customers, making it ideal for enhancing your bar or pub atmosphere. You can organize your messages into pages or collections for easy management, and even display chains of related information, such as a sequence of menu items or announcements, and with the Image Edition you’ll be able to add Split-Flap TV with flipping pictures for logos and graphics. The system allows you to schedule content and display real-time updates, including the current date alongside time, weather, and other information. And if you already have your own smart TV, Android-based media stick or Apple device, adding Split-Flap functionality is easy with our subscriptions, and our setup guide on getting started with Split-Flap TV walks you through each step!
For more details on the latest features and customer experiences, check out the Split-Flap TV features and news on our blog.
