Do you consider yourself observant? Have you ever taken a good look at the iconic Hollywood sign and noticed something peculiar? Well, get ready for a surprise! In this article, we will reveal a hidden mistake in the famous sign that once noticed, you won’t be able to unsee.
The chairman of the Hollywood sign trust, Jeff Zarrinman, loves to draw attention to this unnoticed error. He believes that once you see it, your perception of the sign will be forever changed. Let’s take a closer look. Focus on the shape of the letter “W.” Do you see it? The gap on the left-hand side of the “W” is narrower than the gap on the right.
“I always enjoy telling people about this when they’re standing in front of it,” Jeff Zarrinman shares enthusiastically. “Even though visitors spend hours staring at it, they never notice. But once I point out the ‘V’s in the ‘W’ aren’t symmetrical, they’re amazed.”
Now, let’s delve into the fascinating history behind the Hollywood sign. Back in 1923, a visionary real estate developer named Harry Chandler, who was also the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, conceived the idea of a grand, attention-grabbing sign. Its purpose was to attract people from downtown Los Angeles to the newly developed area known as Hollywoodland. With this iconic sign, Chandler aimed to spark the interest of potential property buyers.
Initially, the Hollywoodland sign fulfilled its intended purpose, captivating attention and drawing people to the area. However, as the Great Depression struck in the 1930s, property sales came to a halt, and the Hollywoodland development suffered a severe blow.
Amidst economic hardships, the sign gradually deteriorated. The developers couldn’t afford to maintain it, resulting in some letters falling into disrepair. In 1944, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce took charge of the sign’s upkeep, transforming it into the iconic “Hollywood” sign we know today by removing the “land” part.
Fast forward to 1970 when the sign was in dire need of a complete overhaul. The Chamber of Commerce recognized the urgency and embarked on a mission to rebuild the sign from scratch. Jeff Zarrinman organized fundraisers and community efforts to gather the necessary $250,000, rallying support from celebrities like Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and the Warner Brothers. These famous figures sponsored individual letters to preserve this beloved symbol of Hollywood. Hugh Hefner sponsored the letter “Y,” while Alice Cooper claimed the letter “O.”
The Hollywood sign’s fascinating history, combined with its hidden imperfection, continues to captivate visitors. So, the next time you find yourself in front of this iconic landmark, take a closer look. You might notice something nobody else has.
