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You can buy split-flap clocks at MoMA [0] for $650. Not cheap. If you want to see a big one in person, the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in New York has the origina

You can buy split-flap clocks at MoMA [0] for $650. Not cheap. If you want to see a big one in person, the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport in New York has the original split-flap departures display made by Solari di Udine [1] (the same company makes the MoMA clock). Solari also makes other split-flap devices [2]. Not to get off on a tangent, but the TWA Hotel is a very cool place to visit [3]. [0] https://store.moma.org/for-the-home/home/clocks/solari-cifra-3-desk-clock/15456-157244.html https://store.moma.org/for-the-home/home/clocks/solari-cifra... [1] https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/architecture/twa-hotel.htm https://science.howstuffworks.com/engineering/architecture/t... [2] https://store.solarilineadesign.com https://store.solarilineadesign.com [3] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbH-eawcZSw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbH-eawcZSw

profquail 5y ago
There’s also a company here in Philadelphia that makes custom split-flap displays: https://www.oatfoundry.com/ https://www.oatfoundry.com/
flobosg 5y ago
Here’s a list with operational split-flap displays around the world: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-flap_display#Operational_boards_in_transport_terminals_and_businesses https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-flap_display#Operational...
JonathonW 5y ago
Split-flap clocks don’t have to be as expensive as the Solari clock. They don’t seem to have the economies of scale to be super-cheap these days, but their mechanisms are fairly simple (essentially analog clocks with really weird-shaped hands) and can be had in the ballpark of $50-$100 if you’re not buying what is essentially a name-brand art piece. Alphanumeric split-flap displays are way more complex and expensive; you won’t find those anywhere for cheap. The higher-end Solari clocks (the ones with added complications like day and date) likely sit somewhere in the middle; I wouldn’t be surprised if these resemble big watch mechanisms with similar complications.
- dreamcompiler 5y ago
  True. I had a split-flap clock radio in the 80s made by Panasonic that probably cost about $30.
joshvm 5y ago
There's also the Vestaboard (about 3k) if money is no object. Compared to the price of building one from scratch it's probably not a bad deal. 132 characters including colours. It is essentially an art piece, but it does look amazing. https://europe.vestaboard.com/products/vestaboard https://europe.vestaboard.com/products/vestaboard
- bryanrasmussen 5y ago
  Vestaboard discussion on HN here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29327147 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29327147 the top comment is a description of this split flap art project https://vimeo.com/224913612 https://vimeo.com/224913612

profquail 5y ago

There’s also a company here in Philadelphia that makes custom split-flap displays: https://www.oatfoundry.com/ https://www.oatfoundry.com/

flobosg 5y ago

Here’s a list with operational split-flap displays around the world: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-flap_display#Operational_boards_in_transport_terminals_and_businesses https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Split-flap_display#Operational...

JonathonW 5y ago

Split-flap clocks don’t have to be as expensive as the Solari clock. They don’t seem to have the economies of scale to be super-cheap these days, but their mechanisms are fairly simple (essentially analog clocks with really weird-shaped hands) and can be had in the ballpark of $50-$100 if you’re not buying what is essentially a name-brand art piece. Alphanumeric split-flap displays are way more complex and expensive; you won’t find those anywhere for cheap. The higher-end Solari clocks (the ones with added complications like day and date) likely sit somewhere in the middle; I wouldn’t be surprised if these resemble big watch mechanisms with similar complications.

dreamcompiler 5y ago
True. I had a split-flap clock radio in the 80s made by Panasonic that probably cost about $30.

joshvm 5y ago

There's also the Vestaboard (about 3k) if money is no object. Compared to the price of building one from scratch it's probably not a bad deal. 132 characters including colours. It is essentially an art piece, but it does look amazing. https://europe.vestaboard.com/products/vestaboard https://europe.vestaboard.com/products/vestaboard

bryanrasmussen 5y ago
Vestaboard discussion on HN here https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29327147 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29327147 the top comment is a description of this split flap art project https://vimeo.com/224913612 https://vimeo.com/224913612