First erected in 1923, the sign originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND" and was to advertise the name of a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Chinatown. Over time it was a frequent target of pranks and vandalism-- but none so unfortunate as Welsh-born starlet Peg Entwistle, who in 1932, jumped to her death from the "H" on the ‘Hollywoodland’ sign.  She was only 24.

Massive 50’ high letters overlook the Hollywood vista and back in the day, the entire sign was studded with some 4,000 light bulbs. The sign would flash in segments; "HOLLY," "WOOD," and "LAND" would light up individually, before lighting up entirely. Cost of the project was $21,000 (about $300,000 in 2014 dollars).

The original sign was presumed to have been destroyed until 2005, when the letter “H” was put up for sale on eBay by producer/entrepreneur Dan Bliss. It was sold to artist Bill Mack, who used the sheet metal as a medium to paint the likenesses of stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Presently, the Hollywood Sign Trust, a nonprofit organization is the overseer of the world famous sign.  (WIKIPEDIA)