Have you ever looked closely at the Hollywood sign and felt something was just a little off with one of the letters? If so, you’re not alone! And for those who haven’t noticed, you’re about to see what many have been missing. But fair warning – once you catch it, there’s no going back.

A Hidden Quirk in the Hollywood Sign

In an interview with News.com.au, Jeff Zarrinman, chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust, shared his fascination with a particular detail in the famous Hollywood sign that most people don’t notice. Zarrinman insists that once someone spots this quirk, they’ll never see the sign the same way again. Take a moment to focus on the shape of the “W” in “Hollywood.” Does anything stand out? If not, here’s a clue: the gap on the left side of the “W” forms a narrower “V” shape than the one on the right.

“I always enjoy pointing this out to people standing in front of it,” Zarrinman said. “Everyone loves to stare at the sign when they visit, but almost no one notices this little flaw. When I tell them that one of the ‘V’ shapes in the ‘W’ is much narrower than the other, they’re shocked.”

He went on, “So yes, the ‘mistake,’ if you want to call it that, is still right there for everyone to see – but people just don’t notice it, even if they’ve been looking at it for hours. And once they do see it, they can’t unsee it.”

The Origins of the Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood sign has a storied past that goes beyond its quirky “W.” Its history dates back to 1923, when Harry Chandler, a real estate developer and then-publisher of the Los Angeles Times, dreamed up the idea of building a massive sign that would draw attention and spark curiosity. The goal was simple yet effective: Chandler wanted to entice prospective buyers by crafting a sign that would be visible from all over Los Angeles, advertising a budding neighborhood known as “Hollywoodland.”

The sign did its job effectively for years, capturing the interest of potential residents and helping establish Hollywoodland as a desirable area. But when the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, the nation was thrust into economic hardship. Property sales took a major hit, and the Hollywoodland development felt the impact deeply.

Due to limited funds, maintenance of the sign began to suffer. The developers could no longer afford to keep all the letters illuminated, leading to gradual decay of the structure. Eventually, in 1944, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stepped in, taking responsibility for maintaining the sign and deciding to rebrand it to the simpler “Hollywood” that we know today, dropping the “land” to reflect the area’s growing status.

The Hollywood Sign Fundraiser and Restoration

While originally constructed for the Hollywoodland development in 1923, the Hollywood sign had begun to fall into disrepair by the 1940s. Despite the initial temporary intent, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce recognized the growing cultural importance of the sign. With its growing reputation as a symbol of Hollywood and the film industry, the Chamber decided to save the sign and assume responsibility for its upkeep.

However, by the 1970s, the sign was again in dire need of significant repairs. The Chamber of Commerce recognized the situation’s urgency and decided it was time for a full renovation, a project that involved dismantling the entire sign and starting over. To fund this ambitious restoration, Zarrinman led several fundraisers, successfully collecting $250,000, the amount necessary to complete the work.

“The sign had so many fans, and the community was more than willing to help,” Zarrinman said. “In April of 1978, the Chamber formed a ‘Save the Sign Committee’ dedicated to preserving this cultural landmark.”

Celebrities Step Up to Save the Hollywood Sign

This iconic sign didn’t just have the support of the public – celebrities got involved too. Big names like Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and the Warner Brothers decided to contribute to the restoration by sponsoring individual letters. Hugh Hefner, famous as the founder of Playboy magazine, took on the letter “Y,” while rock musician Alice Cooper decided to sponsor the letter “O.” Each celebrity’s involvement added to the media attention and enthusiasm for saving the sign, bringing the community together in an unprecedented way.

By the end of 1978, thanks to these combined efforts, the Hollywood sign had been restored to its former glory and solidified as an enduring symbol of Hollywood’s allure, drawing thousands of tourists every year.

A Legacy of Imperfection

Today, the Hollywood sign stands as an iconic symbol known worldwide. However, even in its rebuilt state, it retains that quirky “W,” which adds a subtle imperfection to the otherwise polished image of Hollywood. Zarrinman’s anecdote about the letter serves as a reminder that no matter how famous something becomes, it can still carry small, overlooked details. And for those who do spot it, that imperfection adds a little more character to the sign.

The Hollywood sign’s journey from a simple real estate advertisement to a cherished symbol of the entertainment industry highlights the unpredictable ways cultural landmarks evolve. Its transformation wasn’t smooth or even intentional; it grew in meaning as the years passed, just as Hollywood itself did.

So, next time you find yourself looking up at the Hollywood sign, take a moment to appreciate not just its grand scale, but also the small flaws that have helped make it one of the most recognized symbols in the world.