Playboy stylized in all caps is an American men's lifestyle and entertainment magazine, formerly in print and online since Known for its centerfolds of nude and semi-nude [ 4 ] models Playmates , Playboy played an important role in the sexual revolution [ 5 ] and remains one of the world's best-known brands, with a presence in nearly every medium.
The magazine has a long history of publishing short stories by novelists such as Arthur C. Leroy Neiman drew the Femlin characters for Playboy jokes. Patrick Nagel painted the headers for Playboy Forum and other sections. Playboy features monthly interviews of 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, although it often interviews conservative celebrities. After a year-long removal of most nude photos in Playboy magazine, the MarchβApril issue brought back nudity. By spring , Hugh Hefnerβa 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 [ 23 ] βhad planned out the elements of his magazine, that he would call Stag Party.
Published in December , the first issue 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 initially was taken for a calendar rather than for Playboy. Known circulation was 53, An urban legend started about Hefner and the Playmate of the Month because of markings on the front covers of the magazine.
From to except for a six-month gap in , the "P" in Playboy had stars printed in or around the letter. Urban legend stated that this was either a rating that Hefner gave to the Playmate according to how attractive she was, the number of times that Hefner had slept with her, or how good she was in bed. In truth, stars, between zero and 12, indicated the domestic or international advertising region for that printing. In the s, the magazine added "The Playboy Philosophy" column. Early topics included gay rights, [ 36 ] women's rights, censorship, and the First Amendment.
