The Mechanical Revival of the Seven‑Segment Display

The seven‑segment display (a~g) is a classic encoding for numerals. We have brought it from the electronic realm into the physical world: each segment becomes an independent, retractable mechanical module. To show “8”, all seven segments extend, forming a full block‑like “8”; for “1”, only the right‑side b and c segments extend. The system constantly monitors each segment’s state and illuminates only those that have successfully extended, preventing false displays due to mechanical jams. This design offers reliability, playfulness, and repairability — if one segment fails, you replace only that module.