This is a split-flap board from an airport. Split-flap boards were a common way to display changing information before the advent of digital signage. For more information on the history of split-flap boards, check out our Split-Flap boards history article.
At the heart of the board, is the split-flap display board module.
Every character is controlled by a physical split-flap display board module capable of displaying only one pre-defined character or symbol. See the yellow circle for a single character on the board.
Now, let’s zoom in on a single module so you can see the split flaps.
Now we rotate the module 45 degrees and you can start to see the mechanical parts behind the characters and how the flaps are driven.
And now we rotate further to give you a look at a side view of a split-flap boards display module.
And now we zoom in for a closer look so you can see the electromechanical module that moves each letter. Look at all the moving parts for a single character!
Electromechanical split-flap boards have 1,000s of individual split-flap display board modules. This makes them expensive to purchase and complex to maintain.
We have built a Split-Flap simulator platform where you can display your messages and promotions in split-flap format on smart TVs.
Split-Flap TV recreates the nostalgia and uniqueness of vintage split-flap display boards on modern television screens so you get the best of both worlds – affordability and ease of use.
You can purchase one of our Split-Flap TVs or bring Split-Flap TV functionality to your own devices such as smart TVs or TVs running Android media players such as the Amazon Fire Stick.
