25 facts you never knew about Playboy
Businessman and publisher of the men's lifestyle
magazine Playboy, Hugh Hefner passed away at 91 on Sept. 27, 2017. We take
a look at some little-known facts about the self-made millionaire and his
iconic magazine.
magazine Playboy, Hugh Hefner passed away at 91 on Sept. 27, 2017. We take
a look at some little-known facts about the self-made millionaire and his
iconic magazine.
The young cartoonist
With an IQ of 152 as a child, Hefner was no less than a
child prodigy. He wrote a lot of comic books, mysteries and horror stories in
grade school and high school. He even started a comic book autobiography in
high school called "School Daze."
child prodigy. He wrote a lot of comic books, mysteries and horror stories in
grade school and high school. He even started a comic book autobiography in
high school called "School Daze."
The army man
Hefner enlisted as an infantry clerk in 1944 during World
War II. His love for cartoons continued even in the battlefield where he
contributed cartoons for the Army newspaper. He also won a sharpshooter badge
for firing the M1 rifle during basic training.
War II. His love for cartoons continued even in the battlefield where he
contributed cartoons for the Army newspaper. He also won a sharpshooter badge
for firing the M1 rifle during basic training.
The psychology graduate
He completed his Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a
double minor in creative writing and arts from the University of Illinois at
Urbana Champaign. Later, he enrolled for a graduate course in sociology at
Northwestern University, but soon dropped out.
double minor in creative writing and arts from the University of Illinois at
Urbana Champaign. Later, he enrolled for a graduate course in sociology at
Northwestern University, but soon dropped out.
The copywriter
In 1951, Hefner was working for the men's lifestyle magazine
Esquire as a copywriter. He reportedly quit after he was denied a $5 raise.
Soon thereafter, he launched a magazine by the name of Playboy.
Esquire as a copywriter. He reportedly quit after he was denied a $5 raise.
Soon thereafter, he launched a magazine by the name of Playboy.
The launch of Playboy
In 1953, funded with a $600 loan which he raised by
mortgaging his furniture and $8,000 from 45 investors, including $1,000 from
his mother, Hefner launched Playboy. Initially, it was titled “Stag Party.” He
later said that his staff consisted of a card table and a typewriter.
mortgaging his furniture and $8,000 from 45 investors, including $1,000 from
his mother, Hefner launched Playboy. Initially, it was titled “Stag Party.” He
later said that his staff consisted of a card table and a typewriter.
The first issue
In December 1953, Hefner came out with the first issue of
the magazine, featuring Marilyn Monroe’s nude calendar shoot. More than 54,000
copies of the issue were sold, at 50 cents each.
the magazine, featuring Marilyn Monroe’s nude calendar shoot. More than 54,000
copies of the issue were sold, at 50 cents each.
The first interview
Jazz musician Miles Davis was the first person to be
interviewed for the magazine, in its September 1962 issue.
interviewed for the magazine, in its September 1962 issue.
Arrested for promoting obscenity
In 1963, an issue of Playboy featured nude pictures of
American actress Jayne Mansfield. It was deemed too vulgar and obscene, which
led to Hefner's arrest. Charges were dropped against him after the jury was
unable to reach a verdict.
American actress Jayne Mansfield. It was deemed too vulgar and obscene, which
led to Hefner's arrest. Charges were dropped against him after the jury was
unable to reach a verdict.
The logo
Hefner selected a rabbit as the Playboy mascot for its
“humorous sexual connotations.” Later, Playboy’s art director Art Paul
confessed to have drawn the logo in less than half an hour. By the 1970s,
Playboy’s rabbit head logo was so popular that readers could simply draw a
rabbit head on an envelope and were assured that their message would reach the
desired destination.
“humorous sexual connotations.” Later, Playboy’s art director Art Paul
confessed to have drawn the logo in less than half an hour. By the 1970s,
Playboy’s rabbit head logo was so popular that readers could simply draw a
rabbit head on an envelope and were assured that their message would reach the
desired destination.
Playboy in Braille
In 1970, Playboy unveiled its braille version, becoming the
first men's magazine for the blind.
first men's magazine for the blind.
(Pictured) Ray Charles's braille Playboy magazine is seen on
display at the first stop on the Hard Rock’s 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour.
display at the first stop on the Hard Rock’s 40th Anniversary Memorabilia Tour.
The best-selling issue
The November 1972 issue of Playboy magazine was its
best-selling, with 7,161,561 copies sold to date. It featured Pam Rawlings on
the cover, and the centerfold featured Lena Söderberg.
best-selling, with 7,161,561 copies sold to date. It featured Pam Rawlings on
the cover, and the centerfold featured Lena Söderberg.
(Pictured) Hefner attends a signing of "Playboy Cover
to Cover" on Nov. 15, 2007, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
to Cover" on Nov. 15, 2007, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
When John Lennon destroyed a priceless painting
In the 1970s, when legendary singer John Lennon was visiting
Hefner's pad on one occasion, he took a priceless original Matisse painting off
the wall and stubbed it with a cigarette. The painting, with the burn mark,
continues to hang inside the library of Hefner's mansion.
Hefner's pad on one occasion, he took a priceless original Matisse painting off
the wall and stubbed it with a cigarette. The painting, with the burn mark,
continues to hang inside the library of Hefner's mansion.
Pamela Anderson’s love for Playboy’s cover
The model and former "Baywatch" star has graced
the cover of Playboy more than any other model, a record 14 times, starting
with the October 1989 issue. She also wrote the foreword for the Playboy coffee
table book "Playboy's Greatest Covers.
the cover of Playboy more than any other model, a record 14 times, starting
with the October 1989 issue. She also wrote the foreword for the Playboy coffee
table book "Playboy's Greatest Covers.
Bestselling men’s magazine
Even after six decades, Playboy continues to dominate the
men's magazine department with sales of over 2.6 million a month in the U.S.
alone. Six months after they decided to remove nude images from their
publication in 2016, their sales jumped more than 28 percent, industry
statistics showed.
men's magazine department with sales of over 2.6 million a month in the U.S.
alone. Six months after they decided to remove nude images from their
publication in 2016, their sales jumped more than 28 percent, industry
statistics showed.
Two world records
Hefner's name is mentioned for a couple of Guinness Book of
World Records. The first mention is for having the longest career as an editor
in chief of the same magazine, and the second mention is for possessing the
largest collection of personal scrapbooks.
World Records. The first mention is for having the longest career as an editor
in chief of the same magazine, and the second mention is for possessing the
largest collection of personal scrapbooks.
A rabbit named after Hefner
Hefner has a rabbit subspecies named after him,
"Sylvilagus palustris hefneri" (not the rabbit pictured), in honor of
the financial support provided by his corporation.
"Sylvilagus palustris hefneri" (not the rabbit pictured), in honor of
the financial support provided by his corporation.
Banned in several nations
Despite its popularity, the magazine is banned in several
countries, including India, China and Singapore.
countries, including India, China and Singapore.
(Pictured) Indonesian people stand near a banner that reads
"Stop for Playboy" during a protest in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April
12, 2006.
"Stop for Playboy" during a protest in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April
12, 2006.
Famous celebs on Playboy’s cover
Drew Barrymore, Madonna, Sharon Stone, Naomi Campbell, Kelly
Brook, Brooke Burke, Cindy Crawford and Elle Macpherson are only a few of the
celebrities to have adorned the cover of Playboy magazine.
Brook, Brooke Burke, Cindy Crawford and Elle Macpherson are only a few of the
celebrities to have adorned the cover of Playboy magazine.
The original Playboy Mansion
Hefner bought the Chicago, Illinois, mansion (pictured)
in 1959. A plate on the front door read, "If You Don’t Swing, Don’t
Ring." By the 1970s, Hefner had moved his home to Los Angeles, arguably a
more swinging town.
in 1959. A plate on the front door read, "If You Don’t Swing, Don’t
Ring." By the 1970s, Hefner had moved his home to Los Angeles, arguably a
more swinging town.
The new Playboy Mansion
Acquired in 1971 for over $1 million from world-renowned
chess player and engineer Louis D. Statham, the new mansion (pictured) has
acquired a notorious reputation. In January 2016, it was sold for $100 million
on the condition that Hefner would continue to stay there.
chess player and engineer Louis D. Statham, the new mansion (pictured) has
acquired a notorious reputation. In January 2016, it was sold for $100 million
on the condition that Hefner would continue to stay there.
Strict rules for residents
Hefner's girlfriends and playmates have been known to
complain about severe restrictions and regulations they have to abide by,
including a 9 p.m. curfew.
complain about severe restrictions and regulations they have to abide by,
including a 9 p.m. curfew.
The secret behind the silk pajamas
Hefner revealed in an interview that pajamas were a natural
result of his late-night work habits. He has over 200 pairs of silk pajamas in
20 colors, along with custom-made velvet and satin jackets.
result of his late-night work habits. He has over 200 pairs of silk pajamas in
20 colors, along with custom-made velvet and satin jackets.
An immortal bond with Marilyn Monroe
The actress holds a special place in Hefner’s heart because
she was the first model to appear in his magazine. Hefner intended to continue
his relationship with the gorgeous actress and model even after his death: he
had bought the burial vault next to Monroe at Westwood Village Memorial Park,
in Westwood, California, U.S.
she was the first model to appear in his magazine. Hefner intended to continue
his relationship with the gorgeous actress and model even after his death: he
had bought the burial vault next to Monroe at Westwood Village Memorial Park,
in Westwood, California, U.S.
Playboy clubs
In 1960, Playboy started a chain of clubs, with the first
one opening in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The distinguishing feature of the clubs
was attractive, scantily-clad women serving drinks. By 1961, the Chicago
location had 132,000 members, making it the busiest club in the world. In 1991,
the club chain became non-operational.
one opening in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. The distinguishing feature of the clubs
was attractive, scantily-clad women serving drinks. By 1961, the Chicago
location had 132,000 members, making it the busiest club in the world. In 1991,
the club chain became non-operational.
Famous relations
Hefner claims to be the 11th direct descendant of Plymouth
Colony governor William Bradford, who came to the U.S. on the Mayflower in
1620. He is the ninth cousin of the 68th Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and
the 43rd President George W. Bush (L), twice removed from Bush and once removed
from Kerry.
Colony governor William Bradford, who came to the U.S. on the Mayflower in
1620. He is the ninth cousin of the 68th Secretary of State John Kerry (R) and
the 43rd President George W. Bush (L), twice removed from Bush and once removed
from Kerry.
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