14 things that were meant to be different colours

Many iconic landmarks and objects we know today were not always intended to look the way they do. Their colors, in particular, have often changed from original plans or evolved over time.

1. Golden Gate Bridge

The Golden Gate Bridge, one of the most recognizable landmarks in the world, was not always intended to be its signature “International Orange” color. Initially, the U.S. Navy wanted the bridge to be painted in black and yellow stripes to ensure visibility for passing ships. However, the bridge’s consulting architect, Irving Morrow, preferred a warmer tone that would complement the natural surroundings and stand out in San Francisco’s frequent fog. The distinctive orange color was originally meant to be a primer, but Morrow was so impressed by how it looked that he advocated for keeping it as the permanent color.

2. Eiffel Tower

Another iconic structure with an unexpected color history is the Eiffel Tower in Paris. When it was first erected in 1889, the tower was actually a reddish-brown color. Over the years, it has been painted various shades, including yellow and chestnut brown. The current “Eiffel Tower Brown” was adopted in 1968 and is a specially formulated color that harmonizes with the Parisian skyline.

3. British Telephone Boxes

British telephone boxes, now iconic symbols of the UK in their bright red color, were not always intended to be so vibrant. The first telephone kiosks, introduced in 1920, were actually painted cream with red glazing bars. It wasn’t until 1924 that the General Post Office decided to paint them entirely red to make them more visible and easily recognizable.

4. The Statue of Liberty

The Statue of Liberty, gifted to the United States by France, has undergone significant color changes since its installation. When it was first erected in 1886, the statue had a shiny copper exterior. Over time, oxidation has given it its current green patina. Interestingly, there were early discussions about gilding the statue to maintain its original copper color, but this idea was ultimately abandoned due to cost and maintenance concerns.

5. The White House

The White House in Washington, D.C., despite its name, was not always white. After its construction in 1800, the building was initially left unpainted, showing its natural gray color of Aquia Creek sandstone. It wasn’t until 1814, after the British set fire to it during the War of 1812, that the building was painted white to cover the smoke damage. The “White House” name became official in 1901 under President Theodore Roosevelt.

6. The Colosseum

The Colosseum in Rome, now a weathered stone color, was originally a vibrant structure. Recent studies have revealed traces of red and blue paint on the monument, suggesting that it was once brightly colored. The use of color in ancient Roman architecture was common, and the Colosseum likely featured painted statues and colorful awnings.

7. The Big Ben

Big Ben, the famous clock tower in London, has seen changes to its color scheme over the years. When it was first completed in 1856, the clock dials were actually blue. The current black and gold color scheme was adopted in the 1980s to enhance visibility and protect the iron structure from corrosion.

8. The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal, known for its pristine white marble, was not always intended to be a singular color. Some historians believe that Shah Jahan, who commissioned the mausoleum, had plans for a black Taj Mahal to be built across the river as his own tomb.

9. The Great Pyramid of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza, now a sandy beige color, was originally covered in white limestone casing stones that gave it a smooth, flat surface. These casing stones were believed to have been highly polished, causing the pyramid to gleam in the sunlight. Over time, most of these stones were removed for other building projects or eroded away.

10. Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign, now white, was originally erected in 1923 as an advertisement for a real estate development called “Hollywoodland.” At that time, the sign was illuminated by thousands of light bulbs and alternated between spelling out “HOLLY,” “WOOD,” and “LAND.” The original color scheme included a yellow outline and white fill for each letter.

11. The Chrysler Building

The Chrysler Building in New York City, known for its distinctive Art Deco style and stainless steel crown, was initially planned to have a very different appearance. The architect, William Van Alen, originally envisioned the building with a glass crown that would be illuminated from within. However, this idea was abandoned in favor of the current stainless steel design, which has become an iconic part of the New York skyline.

12. Starbucks

The iconic green of Starbucks’ logo and branding wasn’t the company’s original color choice. When Starbucks first opened in 1971, its logo featured a brown color scheme. The switch to green occurred in 1987 when Howard Schultz acquired the company and sought to symbolize growth and freshness.

13. Apple logo

Apple’s logo, now typically seen in monochrome, was originally designed with rainbow stripes. This colorful version was used from 1977 to 1998 and was meant to highlight the Apple II’s ability to display color. The shift to a monochrome logo coincided with the launch of the iMac G3 and represented a move towards a more modern, sleek design aesthetic.

14. Tennis balls

The green color of tennis balls, now standardized across the sport, was not always the norm. Before the introduction of color television, tennis balls were actually white or black. The switch to the now-familiar “optic yellow” (which appears more green to the human eye) occurred in 1972 to improve visibility for television viewers.

More info:
[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/landmarks-that-look-different-from-when-they-were-built
[2] https://www.buzzfeed.com/audreyworboys/famous-landmark-different-architecture
[3] https://elements.envato.com/76-famous-landmarks-elements-in-line-color-design-K7NWSUE