PLAYBOY MAGAZINE
Background
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism
and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a
$1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with a
presence in nearly every medium. Playboy is one of the world's best known brands. [4] In addition to the
flagship magazine in the United States, special nation-specific versions of Playboy are published
worldwide.
Playboy features monthly interviews of notable public figures, such as artists, architects, economists,
composers, conductors, film directors, journalists, novelists, playwrights, religious figures, politicians,
athletes and race car drivers. The magazine generally reflects a liberal editorial stance.
History
1953, Hugh Hefner a 1949 University of Illinois psychology graduate who had worked in Chicago for
Esquire magazine writing promotional copy; Publisher's Development Corporation in sales and
marketing; and Children's Activities magazine as circulation promotions manager. Had planned out the
elements of his own magazine, that he would call Stag Party. He formed HMH Publishing Corporation,
and recruited his friend Eldon Sellers to find investors. However, the publisher of an unrelated men's
adventure magazine, Stag, contacted Hefner and informed him it would file suit to protect their
trademark if he were to launch his magazine with that name.[13][16] Hefner, his wife Millie, and Sellers
met to seek a new name, considering "Top Hat", "Gentleman", "Sir'", "Satyr", "Pan" and "Bachelor"
before Sellers suggested "Playboy"
The first issue, in December 1953, was undated; as Hefner was unsure there would be a second. He
produced it in his Hyde Park kitchen. The first centerfold was Marilyn Monroe, although the picture used
originally was taken for a calendar rather than for Playboy. The first issue sold out in weeks. Known
circulation was 53, 991. [17] The cover price was 50¢. Copies of the first issue in mint to near mint
condition sold for over $5,000 in 2002. The novel Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury, was serialized in the
March, April and May 1954 issues of Playboy.
The logo, the stylized profile of a rabbit wearing a tuxedo bow tie, was originally designed by art
designer Art Paul for the second issue to be used as an endnote, but was adopted as the official logo and
has appeared ever since. A running joke in the magazine involves hiding the logo somewhere in the
cover art or photograph. Hefner said he chose the rabbit for its "humorous sexual connotation", and
because the image was "frisky and playful".
1966-1976, Robbie McCauley was the Fiction Editor at Playboy. Since reaching 1970 Playboy has seen a
decline in circulation and cultural relevance because of competition in the field it founded—first from
Penthouse, Oui (which was published as a spin-off of Playboy) and Gallery in the 1970s; later from
pornographic videos; and more recently from lad mugs such as Maxim, FHM, and Stuff. . In response,