But LEDs are far from the only way to run a seven-segment display — check out this mechanical seven-segment display for proof of that. We’ve been seeing a lot of mechanical seven-segment ...

[Peter Lehnér] has designed a brilliant 7-segment flip-segment display that doesn’t really flip. In fact, it doesn’t use electromagnets at all. This one is 3D printed and hand cranked.

seven-segment display (Image courtesy of LXD, Inc.) In their natural state, liquid crystals line up with the orientation "rubbed" into the front and rear glass panels. The rubbings are microscopic ...