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 ...

Utter the words “7-segment display” amongst hackers and you ... of yellow axles thrust up through a black grid to represent parts of the number, as well as a minus sign as needed.

We’re used to seeing all manner of seven-segment displays, be they mechanical, electronic, or something in between. But what all these displays have in common is that they’re, you know, displays.