- The concept of seven-segment displays dates back to the early 1900s, with patents filed around 1908-1910, predating the 1970s by decades.
- Early implementations used incandescent lamps or neon tubes in the 1930s-1940s, before LEDs became practical in the late 1960s.
- Seven segments became standard for balancing readability with minimal hardware, though variations like 14- or 16-segment 'Union Jack' displays emerged for better alphanumeric support.
- The design principle involves starting with the most complex digit (like an 8) and selectively removing segments to form others, a concept seen even in manual price tags.