Even the small places felt called upon to flash superlatives, and numbers.

Both had luminescent screens that beeped and flashed fluorescent numbers for winners and losers 24/7.

The screen swam violently, then flashed numbers.

Through the gloom, they flashed the same message in bright, white letters and numbers: "13 straight division championships."

Sometimes a set of flashing numbers tells you which combination has been selected, but with most amateur-level cameras you're left in the dark.

(The code strings are represented by interlocking towers of flashing numbers, which topple like dominoes.)

In seconds, Mr. Larkin was informed by flashing numbers that he had hit a home run 342 feet out of the park.

Then a computer complex: more white-smocked people, but younger, mostly, and surrounded by head-high consoles with winking lights and display screens flashing green-glowing numbers and symbols.

And today, consumers have similar opportunities through home shopping networks and commercials that flash toll-free "800" numbers for placing orders.