bend it again, it depends on how sharp the bend is and how many cycles you= need. =A0A wire coat hanger will if the bend is not sharp go through a sur= prising number of cycles before it fails, but eventually it will.
illapod" for one example.
e or 12-gage copper electrical wire from Home Depot or wherever and anneal = it after every use--you can anneal it with a burner on a gas stove--just ge= t it red hot and throw it in a bucket of water. =A0Cut a bunch of extras an= d do a week's worth at a time.
Segmented may be the way, ala gorillapod. I've got a indicator stand that uses about the same approach using spheres and socketed cylinders, all with a hole in the center. A tensioned cable through the center holds it all together, in whatever configuration it happens to have. May not do the support thing(wasn't quantified) but should wrap and unwrap indefinitely.
Stan