The iconic Hollywood sign, perched high on the hills above Los Angeles, is a symbol recognized worldwide. But despite its fame, there is a subtle flaw in its design that once you see, you’ll never be able to forget. This small, unnoticed detail lies within the letter “W” and has been hiding in plain sight for decades.
According to Jeff Zarrinman, chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust, this is something few people ever notice, even after staring at the sign for hours. He explains: “Even though people stand and admire it, the flaw in the ‘W’ goes unnoticed. But once you see it, the illusion is broken, and you’ll never look at the sign the same way again.”
The flaw lies in the shape of the “W,” specifically in its asymmetry. The left-hand side of the letter forms a “V” shape that is narrower than the right side. While it may seem minor, once it’s pointed out, it becomes impossible to unsee.
The Origins of the Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood sign was originally created in 1923 to promote a real estate development called “Hollywoodland.” Harry Chandler, a real estate mogul, and publisher of the Los Angeles Times, came up with the idea to attract potential buyers to this new suburban development. Back then, the sign spelled out “Hollywoodland” and was intended to be a temporary installation. However, it quickly became a permanent fixture in the city’s landscape.
The 1920s were a boom period, but by the 1930s, the Great Depression hit, and the Hollywoodland development began to suffer. The sign, too, fell into disrepair as maintenance ceased. In 1944, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce took over responsibility for the sign and decided to remove the “land,” leaving behind the shortened version we know today: “Hollywood.”
The Sign’s Descent and Revival
By the late 1940s, the sign was in a state of disrepair. Built as a temporary structure, the original wood had begun to rot, and the iconic landmark was in dire need of restoration. Despite its dilapidated condition, the community saw the value in preserving the sign as a cultural symbol. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce organized a fundraiser to restore it in 1949.
However, by the 1970s, the sign needed a complete overhaul. Jeff Zarrinman initiated efforts to raise $250,000 to rebuild the sign from scratch. “The sign had fans and the community wanted to help,” Zarrinman noted. The campaign gathered attention from Hollywood elites, and celebrities like Hugh Hefner and Alice Cooper came forward to sponsor the letters, with Hefner famously sponsoring the “Y” and Cooper the “O.”
A Symbol of Hollywood’s Resilience
Over the years, the Hollywood sign has undergone several restorations, but its significance has never diminished. It remains a cultural icon, not just of Hollywood itself but of the entertainment industry worldwide. The story of its survival mirrors that of Hollywood: full of ups and downs but always standing tall.
That hidden quirk in the “W” might seem insignificant, but it adds a layer of character to the sign, reminding us that even in the world of glittering perfection, there are imperfections that make things uniquely memorable. Next time you see the sign, take a closer look at the “W” — you may never look at it the same way again.