Nostalgia on display: How this company is reviving the split-flap board

Long-time and frequent travelers may already be familiar with split-flap boards which deliver relevant information in an audible and visual treat for the senses. Now, the company Oat Foundry has tapped into that nostalgia by bringing back the analog boards. NBC’s George Solis reports for TODAY.
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#nostalgia #technology #oatfoundry

[@1805movie]

The Analog Renaissance is alive and well!

[@AMPProf]

Yes but nit in overpriced junk in bulk.. More like Nano sized Molecular turing machines

[@brynwest4495]

@@AMPProf You're fun at parties

[@Paul_Wetor]

I never realized how much I like these signs. Digital is faster but this is like watching a game show: what will the letters say? There's the clackity sound and the anticipation. I'm sure I'd feel differently if I was running late at the airport, but otherwise these signs are wonderful.

[@roachtoasties]

I don't think they ever left. I've seen them at different places over the years, but not many. The thing is it's just much cheaper to hang up a bunch of flat screens on the wall.

[@OatFoundry]

Not as cool though😎

[@privatepenguin3137]

Very cool. Reminds me of South Station in Boston. Classic sound....attention getting!

[@dfirth224]

Not only being old school, they also use LESS ELECTRICTY. No lights in them.

[@OatFoundry]

Fun fact: our Split Flaps pull 0 electricity when static/not actively flipping🔋

[@thisenpro6720]

Whoa! Cool.

[@OatFoundry]

Thank you for the feature!:)

[@CubeAtlantic]

Those signs are retro & were somewhat relaxin'.

[@hummersd]

Starting at $50k?! I get the customization, manufacturing, maintenance (additional?) can be expensive, but sheesh. Definitely not an option for a small business. Keeping electronic screens becomes that much more economical.

[@popcorn8153]

I don't get it either, its not like this is new tech.

[@doujinflip]

It's a ton of mechanical parts (for larger ones quite literally) to purchase, install, and service, and they're not made at the throwaway scale we're otherwise used to. Similar reason why horses and steam engines are expensive to have these days despite being old and previously commonplace.

[@ami6272]

They have to pay the copyright rights to the original inventor, that's why it's so expensive!

[@shadetree1175]

I love seeing the words and phrases slowly coming together! Analog is fun!

[@stargazeronesixseven]

🙏 With the advancement of AI , more home owners & Vehicle owners will switch back to analogue door , ignition & key system to keep their properties safe from thieves armed with digital door opener! ... 🕯🌏

[@shonen84]

We still got one in our airport here in Brussels, Belgium. The sound of those flaps is collectively linked to us going on vacation.

[@SAGUY1971]

I remember seeing these in the Airports and Stations in South Africa as a kid growing up there.

[@NoahRonaldo22]

Im Thinking About Getting Only A Number Display Because Im Planning On Making A Toteboard For Gameshows That Me & My Friends Do

[@santamariamarvy]

In short. they dont offer anything practical. It's just novelty.

[@BastiatC]

I miss split flap clocks.

[@JeremeyHowlett]

This is great, would like to see these at the airports.

[@chrisaycock5965]

We have one of these in the ferry market building in SF always cool to see.

[@9sunstar9]

I definitely read this as "flip-flap boards" not split flat boards

[@rebeccadubois6536]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@JasonB808]

Starts at 50k. When a you can get a 70” TV for $400 these days. Only rich businesses can afford it.

[@criticaloptimist]

Someone needs to bring back spinning signs too. They’re the best, and nobody is repairing them when they break.

[@odess4sd4d]

The definition of analog changed while i wasn't looking

[@JBG1968]

Pittsburgh is building a new airport and I wish they would use these .

[@ElectronicsPeddler]

Really cool... Until they're not.

[@hummersd]

Price alone -- starts at $50k.

[@omegafolf]

vestaboard has been making these longer.

[@OatFoundry]

Today is our 11 year anniversary:)

[@williamelewis464]

meh you can 3d print this yourself...

[@doujinflip]

Yeah but will they still spin and remain readable after a couple million cycles?

[@kevin-AG15]

What's the point. You have everything you need on a glass screen