Split-Flap TV for Paper Planes: Conversation with Kurt Dupont

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  Kurt Dupont is a solution provider who would go out of his way just to ensure he brings out the best when it comes to issues that have to deal with data-driven presentations, data visualization, and digital signage software.

He started by working at airports worldwide to set up airport databases and flight information screens. This evolved to become the basis for PresentationPoint.

In this conversation, Kurt discusses Split-Flap TV, being used for Paper Planes, an apparel and lifestyle store.

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Geetesh: For those who do not know, can you tell us what Split-Flap TV is, and how it is related to your earlier years in the airport business? Also, how it’s use is expanding from just virtual split-flaps for the travel industry to fashion, retail, and more sectors?

Kurt: OK course Geetesh. Split-Flap TV is a modern version of the classic split-flap board typically found in airports and other transportation hubs to display travel information, mostly arrivals and departures. It is an electromechanical display that features numerical or alphabetical flaps that flip over to reveal the desired information. We all remember the typical noise they make when they update.

The Split-Flap TV combines a built-in Split-Flap TV player app with a television screen, creating a modern take on this retro display technology. People can use their phone or computer to manage the messages on the television. They can use it to show messages and pricelists, but also real-time news and weather information. Good news: it does not cost a fortune to run such a display.

Image: Yay Images

I started my career working at airports worldwide to build database systems and exchange information as quickly as possible to other machines, but also passengers looking at television screens with flight information. Before there were television screens, airports and train stations used split-flap board to show real-time information.

This revived technology is now expanding rapidly. We see doctors calling in the next patient on a split-flap television, brewers and pubs showing what is currently on tap, take-aways and restaurants showing pricelists and daily promotions on screens, travel agencies showing last-minutes that we can book.

Geetesh: One of your high-profile clients is Paper Planes, an apparel and lifestyle store based in New York. Tell us more about their use of Split-Flap TV, and where else you plan to expand?

Kurt: Correct! Paper Planes is the fashion store or brand of Roc Nation, founded by the American rapper Jay-Z. Their commercial brand is called Paper Planes at their logo is (of course) a paper plane in black and white. They were opening a new flagship store in New York city and contacted us to deliver the communication software for their television to breathe their messages.

Now they are using a very large 100” television rotating their messages in old airport style. From the headquarters, they can manage and change the content on the screens. These messages rotate every 10-15 seconds, and they have flipping animation to the next characters. Optionally they can hear it clicking. I will have to visit the store to find out if they use the clicking sound or not.

I like the split-flap communication very much. Nowadays normal advertising screens use flashy colors, distracting animations, and bring much noise. These new Split-Flap televisions, show messages in the classic and elegant format as they did 70 years ago. Peaceful communication in authentic airport style! Classy.

The views and opinions expressed in this blog post or content are those of the authors or the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.