Have you ever considered yourself to be an observant person? Have you ever gazed upon the iconic Hollywood sign and noticed something peculiar? Well, get ready for a surprise! In this article, we are about to reveal a hidden mistake in the famous Hollywood sign that, once noticed, will be forever etched in your memory.
The chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust, Jeff Zarrinman, can’t help but draw attention to this unnoticed error. He firmly believes that once you see it, your perception of the sign will be forever changed. So, let’s take a closer look together. Focus on the shape of the letter “W.” Do you notice anything unusual? That’s right! The gap on the left-hand side of the “W” is narrower than the gap on the right.
“I always love telling people about this little secret when they’re standing in front of the sign,” Jeff Zarrinman shares enthusiastically. “Even though visitors spend hours admiring it, they rarely notice. But once I point out that the ‘V’s in the ‘W’ aren’t symmetrical, they are absolutely amazed.”
Now, let’s dive into the fascinating history behind the Hollywood sign. In 1923, a visionary real estate developer named Harry Chandler, who was also the publisher of the Los Angeles Times, conceived the idea of creating a grand, attention-grabbing sign. Its purpose was to attract people from downtown Los Angeles to the newly developed area known as Hollywoodland. Chandler aimed to spark the interest of potential property buyers through this iconic sign.
Initially, the Hollywoodland sign fulfilled its intended purpose, capturing attention and drawing people to the area. However, as the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, property sales came to a halt, and the Hollywoodland development suffered greatly.
The sign gradually deteriorated amidst economic hardships. The developers simply 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 and love 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 realized the urgency and embarked on a collective mission to rebuild the sign from scratch. Jeff Zarrinman took the lead, organizing fundraisers and community efforts to gather the necessary $250,000. With the support of celebrities like Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and the Warner Brothers, this beloved symbol of Hollywood was preserved. Each of these famous figures sponsored individual letters, with Hugh Hefner sponsoring the letter “Y” and Alice Cooper claiming the letter “O.”
The fascinating history and the hidden imperfection of the Hollywood sign continue to captivate visitors from all around the world. So, the next time you find yourself standing in front of this iconic landmark, take a closer look. You might notice something that nobody else has ever seen before. Prepare yourself for a revelation that will add an extra layer of charm and intrigue to your Hollywood experience.
