Abstract: The switching device comprises a switching member with a row of windows, each of which is formed by a separate block of electro-optical material (19) which is connected to a first surface (18) of a rigid carrier (17) by means of an intermediate layer of flexible material (21). Each block comprises two oppositely situated, parallel, light-transmissive principal surfaces (23, 25) and two side surfaces (27, 29) which are also oppositely situated and which extend from one principal surface to the other. On the side surfaces there are provided two electrodes (31, 33) which are connected to two conductors (35, 37) which are constructed as surface wiring. The electrodes and/or the connection between the carrier and the conductors are preferably also formed to be flexible. This construction offers the advantage that the various blocks cannot mechanically or electrically interact with one another.