An electroluminescent display has a transparent front-electrode, rear electrodes,
and a layer of electroluminescent material located between the first and second
electrodes. Conductive tracks are electrically connected to the rear electrodes
and supply a driving voltage for the electroluminescent material to the rear electrodes.
A backplane layer is provided between the electroluminescent material layer and
the conductive tracks, and is electrically connected to the front electrode such
that the potential difference across the electroluminescent material layer in the
region of the conductive tracks is substantially zero. In this way, when the conductive
track is supplying the driving voltage to the rear-electrodes, the electroluminescent
material layer is not illuminated by an electric field between the conductive tracks
and the front electrode. Gaps may be defined in the front electrode corresponding
substantially to the location of the conductive tracks. This also prevents the
voltage in the conductive tracks from illuminating the electroluminescent material
layer. An addressable electroluminescent display may be included in an item of clothing.