E-paper displays are already thin. Now they're getting flexible, thanks to a breakthrough announced by LG.Philips. (Have you heard the one about the Dutchman and the Korean? Never mind.)

The first color "e-paper" display measures 14.1 inches wide and 0.3 millimeters thick. Replacing the usual inflexible glass substrate is a combination of foil, which holds thin-film transistors, and plastic, which holds the color filter. Electronic ink from (who else?) E Ink Corp. generates up to 4096 colors. Like paper, this e-paper doesn't just flex — it also bounces back, and maintains 180° readability even when bent.

Of course, foil and plastic can both melt, so part of the breakthrough came in proprietary video-processing technology that prevents the panel from frying its circuits and deforming. LG.Philips had previously shown the world's first flexible black & white e-paper display in May 2006. — Al Boline

LG.Philips, via The Age

CORRECTION: The original version of this story incorrectly called the new display an LCD. As an astute reader pointed out, e-paper uses a completely different technology with a much slower refresh rate, making it unsuitable for TVs. Thanks, Cliff!