PHILADELPHIA, PA — Oat Foundry, renowned for its modern reinvention of nostalgic Split Flap boards, is eyeing a significant milestone: restoring a functioning Split Flap board to Philadelphia’s historic 30th Street Station.
Since its founding in 2013 by Drexel University alumni, including CEO Mark Kuhn, Oat Foundry has transformed from a senior thesis project into a multimillion-dollar international signage and technology business. The company specializes in revamping the iconic Split Flap displays, which once resonated with their characteristic click-clack sound in major transit halls and airport terminals.
Oat Foundry’s Split Flap boards have found homes in numerous locations, from Stephen Starr’s Pod in University City and Pass & Stow at the Phillies Stadium to Samsung’s retail space near London’s King’s Cross and The Irish Exit at New York City’s Moynihan Train Hall. Despite their global reach, the company’s roots remain firmly planted in Philadelphia, and their next goal is to bring back the Split Flap’s signature sound to the city’s beloved 30th Street Station.
The original Solari board, which previously graced the 30th Street Station, has been retired to a transit museum due to outdated technology and non-compliance with modern ADA requirements for public information displays. While Amtrak plans to reintroduce the Split Flap board as a non-functioning decorative piece in the station’s $550 million renovation, Oat Foundry has a more ambitious vision.
Oat Foundry’s Split Flap boards, while visually similar to the original Solari board, boast significant technological advancements. They feature contemporary electronics, modern manufacturing techniques, and can display real-time transit data through a custom API. Additionally, they use ADA-compliant fonts and retain the nostalgic sound associated with traditional Split Flap boards.
“We are ready to build one for 30th St.,” declares CEO Mark Kuhn. He expresses readiness to collaborate with the Plenary Infrastructure Philadelphia team, Gilbane Building Company, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill to incorporate a working Oat Foundry Split Flap into the station’s renovation. “This would be a win for Drexel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and ultimately all travelers,” Kuhn adds.
With an Oat Foundry Split Flap in their Philadelphia headquarters having surpassed 37 million rotations, the company is poised to breathe new life into the iconic Split Flap board at 30th Street Station, bringing a touch of nostalgia to the modern transit experience.
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