Can anyone identify this component? (possibly counter)
It's hard to guess from the pictures you've posted, but it looks like a simple LCD module.
Here's what I can tell from the desciption:


The rubber contacts are called "zebra strips"
The number "9440" probably means "week 40 of year 1994".


To make use of this display, you'd have to figure out the connections and make a PCB to to fit the zebra strip precisely. If I were you, I wouldn't bother trying to make use of this thing and would instead crack it open and see if there is anything interesting inside (hint: there probably isn't).