Illuminated information display

An illuminated display including electronically activated display elements and fixed graphic display elements, comprising:

• a first opaque plate having a plurality of selectively energizable active planar display elements;
• a rigid transparent plastic second plate closely adjacent but spaced from a front of the first plate, said second plate being sufficiently thick to transmit light laterally therethrough;
• a plurality of fixed graphic elements secured on a rear of the second plate positioned so that the graphic elements are not in line with the active display elements whereby the first opaque plate defines a background for the graphic elements when the active display elements are energized;
• said fixed graphic elements being substantially opaque and contrasting in color to the opaque first plate, said first and second plates being constructed so that different second plates can be utilized with the first plate;
• and
• a source of light directed laterally into the transparent second plate whereby light deflecting in the second plate illuminates the front of the fixed graphic elements against the contrasting opaque first plate with the active elements illuminated.