To display a message, you used a five finger keypad, or connect it via a serial interface to a PC and use a proper keyboard.
There were various fonts and styles to use, and picture graphics, as well as different ways to display the message. Built into an EPROM were various fixed messages.
This could be built at the time for less than £100, which seemed quite cheap, but of course you had to solder in 448 LED’s by hand as well as all the other components!
See what other people say: LED Matrix Display – EPE Magazine
