| Playboy Magazine continues to be the premiere | | | | mascot of the magazine for the playfulness of |
| American adult magazine selling over one | | | | the animal, which is what the magazine was |
| million copies every month in the U.S., | | | | trying to impress upon its readers. |
| fifty-three years after its inaugural issue. | | | | |
| Indeed Playboy magazine has surpassed the | | | | Through the years, Playboy Magazine has |
| true test of time from its first issue in | | | | featured many celebrities including Marilyn |
| 1953 with none other than Marilyn Monroe as | | | | Monroe, Drew Barrymore, Charlize Theron, |
| the centerfold. Despite getting banned from | | | | Madonna, Belinda Carlisle, Tiffany, Shannen |
| various countries due to explicit pictures of | | | | Doherty, Katarina Witt among other famous |
| its female models, Playboy M..agazine | | | | celebrities who have posed for the magazine |
| continues to see sales continue to increase. | | | | in their most provocative poses and barest |
| | | | beauty. These celebrity models were |
| Playboy Magazine was founded by Hugh Hefner | | | | photographed by such notable photographers |
| (affectionately known as Hef) and his | | | | such as Stephen Wayda, Ron Harris, Russ Meyer |
| associates who formed Playboy Enterprises, | | | | and many others. |
| Inc. Hef, initially wanted to name his | | | | |
| magazine Stag Party, obviously aiming for | | | | Another proof of the success of playboy was |
| male readers. However, Stag Company had | | | | the string of international country specific |
| patented the name and threatened to sue | | | | Playboy editions that came out. Playboy |
| Hefner and his associates if they proceeded | | | | International editions were published in |
| to use the trademarked name. After discussing | | | | Brazil, Australia, Argentina, Germany, |
| the problem they decided to think of another | | | | Greece, Hong Kong, among other countries. |
| name. One of the associates of Hefner | | | | |
| suggested the name Playboy, from the Playboy | | | | Of course, because of the nature of Playboy |
| Automobile Company where he previously | | | | magazine, it was not widely accepted in some |
| worked. | | | | of the more conservative countries. Most |
| | | | countries in the Asian have banned the sale |
| In December 1953, the first issue of Playboy | | | | and publication of Playboy magazine due to |
| Magazine was published bearing no name since | | | | what is described as its lewd nature and |
| Hefner was not sure at that time whether a | | | | vulgarity that is contradictory to the norms |
| second issue would be published. The first | | | | and values of the people. |
| issue featured Marilyn Monroe as the | | | | |
| centerfold which was originally intended for | | | | During the 1970s, when Playboy magazine |
| a calendar issue. Despite the uncertainty on | | | | reached its peak, circulation of the magazine |
| the second issue of the Playboy magazine, the | | | | dwindled down. This was attributed to the |
| maiden issue was sold out in two weeks time. | | | | rise of new competitors in the adult magazine |
| Actual sales for the maiden issue of Playboy | | | | business, such as Penthouse. The |
| were pegged at 53,991. | | | | proliferation of adult videos also |
| | | | contributed to the decline in sales of the |
| With the success in sales of the first issue, | | | | magazine. |
| Hefner and his associates moved on and | | | | |
| published the second issue. This time, | | | | Currently, Playboy magazine is being run by |
| Playboy magazine had an official logo, that | | | | the daughter of Hugh Hefner, Christie who |
| of a bunny wearing a tuxedo bow tie was born. | | | | assumed the post of Chief Executive officer |
| The rabbit was chosen to be the official | | | | in 1988. |