In the field of flexible displays there is a need for an electro-optic
filament that is capable of being woven, knitted or crocheted. An
electro-optic filament or fibre (10) includes an elongate core (11)
extending lengthwise within a volume (12) of polarisable material; and an
outer electrode member (13) overlying the volume (12). The core (11) and
outer member (13) are electrically conducting and connectable to
electrical potentials to generate a radial field in the polarisable
material. The outer member (13) is optically transmissive and/or
transflective. The polarisable material (12) exhibits an optical effect
such as a colour change, change in polarisation or change in
reflectivity, when subjected to a said field or a change in a said field.
The filament or fibre may readily be woven into eg. a fabric or a
garment, using conventional textile processing machinery.