In C++, one can define a data member in a class as static.  This causes
only one instance of the variable to be made for all objects of the same
class type.  Does Delphi support this concept?  I can't find anything
in the documentation that indicates that it does?  

If it doesn't, has anyone come up with a workaround?  Using a module level
variable works for some situations but not in the general case.  I have an
MDI app and want IDs generated for the display objects created on each
child window.  I want the display object to know how to generate its own
object ID.  The ID is required so I can save the objects to a database
file and know what it is when I read it.