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