Abstract: An electrostatic display device has a closed opaque chamber with one or more transparent windows in a side thereof. Mounted within the chamber adjacent to each window is a resilient electrode that is capable of moving so as to block the adjacent window or to withdraw from the window in response to a signal voltage that is applied between the resilient electrode and a fixed electrode. The total window area is less than about 20% of the exterior surface area of the chamber so that an "open" window functions optically as a light sink and appears dark. The outer surface of the resilient electrode may be of a bright hue for optical contrast in a normally bright "day time" ambient. Alternatively a lamp within the chamber provides an electrically actuated display that is visible in a dark ambient.