Display devices utilize thermotropic materials for recording and displaying information. The display devices incorporate a thermochromic film disposed between a pair of electrically conductive plates, one of which is transparent. Reflectivity of the film is altered by selectively changing the temperature of discrete portions of the film, and hysteresis in the thermochromic material is relied on to retain the information stored in the film for as long as it is needed. The electrically conductive plates may be used as one means to selectively heat the film so as to enhance a thermally generated image. Also disclosed are methods for changing information recorded in such displays.