Solari Status Board

[Qapla]

The Solari Board is a split-flap display board. They were originally designed by the Solari Company of Italy.

 

There have been may uses for these types of displays. They were quite popular in early "digital" clocks. They were also used on game shows as well as other places.

 

Even though they are all split-flap displays, the ones used at airports and train depots have been largely referred to as Solari Boards. You may have seen one in person or while watching a movie or TV show. They typically show the arrival/departure times, destination, name and/or number of the plane or train and the current status. As the boards update, any planes/trains that have departed cycle off the top of the board, the remaining flights/trains move up and additional ones are added to the bottom (as space allows). This is all accompanied by the "clicking/flapping" sounds the split-flaps makes as they rotate to the correct position.

 

Many of these boards have been replaced by modern flat screen displays that can show more information in more colors.

 

There has been a recent revival of the Solari-type board. Seems people do not really like all the "blue light" screens that simply display the information. To this end, there are now "Solari-style" electronic boards complete with electronic generated "clicking/clapping/flapping".

 

The only Amtrak Station left in the US with a Solari is/was the 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. It was slated for removal. That caused quite an outcry. There have been many attempts to block the removal/replacement of the aging board.

 

It is still unclear what the final disposition of this landmark will be - but, it looks like it may be restored and/or returned ...