Split flap displays were mechanical: hinged cards flipping over on a rotating drum, in railway stations, airports and bedside alarm clocks. The sound they made is half the reason people remember them. This is the visual half, drawn in a browser.
What it simulates
A split flap clock , large digits on dark cards that flip over as the time changes. It reads the time from the device it is running on, so it shows the correct local time.
Where it works
- A large, legible clock on a spare monitor, tablet or phone , genuinely useful on a desk, a workbench or a kitchen counter.
- A timer visible from across a room during a talk, a class or a recording.
- Ambient decoration on a second screen, where a clock is more useful than a wallpaper.
- A prop for film and photography needing a period departure board.
How to run it
- Press Start fullscreen.
- Prop the device up where you can see it.
- Press Esc or tap Exit to close.
Two practical points for leaving it up. Your device will still dim and lock on its normal schedule, since a web page cannot override that. And on an OLED panel, static bright digits in a fixed position for hours are the classic image retention risk , for an overnight clock, turn brightness well down.
Related screens
DVD Bouncing Logo and Waterfall for other ambient screens, black screen for the plainest possible display.
Flip clock screen questions
Does it show the real time?
Yes. It reads the clock on the device it is running on, so it matches whatever your phone or computer is set to, including time zone and daylight saving.
Will my screen stay on?
Not automatically. A web page cannot override your device’s sleep and lock settings , you would need to change those yourself, or use a setting that keeps the display awake while charging.
Is it safe to leave running overnight?
On an LCD, yes. On an OLED panel, static bright digits in the same position for many hours are exactly the conditions that cause image retention, so turn the brightness well down if you plan to.