HD44780 16x2 Character LCD

The classic two-line character display behind every vending machine, arcade panel, and lab instrument — driven directly from a microcontroller in 4-bit mode.

Difficulty: Breadboard. Estimated build time: about 30 minutes. Estimated parts cost: about US$5.80. 6-part bill of materials with live supplier pricing. A two-line, sixteen-character display that any microcontroller can drive directly — no module, no extra driver chip.