advertisement

Playboy through the decades: Key moments in magazine's past

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Playboy has announced it will no longer run photos of completely naked women, a change that will take place in 2016. Here are some other milestones in the magazine's history:

1953

The first Playboy Magazine is published in December, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a "Sweetheart of the Month" color nude photo inside. The magazine sells more than 50,000 copies.

___

1954

Playboy's second issue in January is the first to feature a "Playmate of the Month." The term is used in a spread featuring Margie Harrison.

___

1955

Hugh Hefner wins a lawsuit against the U.S. Post Office, which considered Playboy obscene. The magazine is granted the same second-class mailing privileges held by other magazines.

___

1956

Marian Stafford is featured in the magazine's first triple-page, foldout centerfold in March.

___

1959

The first Playboy Jazz Festival is held and sells out in Chicago. Performers include Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald.

Also this year, Hugh Hefner buys a home in Chicago that becomes the Playboy Mansion.

___

1960

The first Playboy Club, staffed by Playboy Bunnies, opens in Chicago. The worldwide chain of clubs eventually will have 230,000 keyholders.

___

1962

The magazine introduces the "Playboy Interview" with jazz legend Miles Davis.

___

1965

Jennifer Jackson becomes the first African-American Playmate of the Month in the March issue. Jean Bell appeared on the cover of the January 1970 issue with four other Playmates. In October 1971, Darine Stern became the first African-American model featured alone on a cover.

___

1969

Playboy opens a television and motion picture division, Playboy Productions, in Los Angeles.

___

1971

Hefner buys a West Los Angeles estate to become Playboy Mansion West and eventually makes it his permanent home.

___

1972

For the January issue, Marilyn Cole is the first playmate to feature full frontal nudity.

Also, Playboy's first foreign edition is launched this year in Germany. Currently, 29 editions are published in more than 50 countries.

___

1988

Hefner's daughter, Christie Hefner, becomes chairman and chief executive of Playboy Enterprises Inc. Hefner remains editor-in-chief of the magazine.

___

2009

The November issue features the magazine's first cartoon character cover model - a fetching, blue-haired Marge Simpson.

Also, 60-year-old Patricia Paay becomes the oldest woman to pose for Playboy, appearing in Dutch edition for December. The oldest model to make the cover of the U.S. edition was Farah Fawcett, then 50, in 1997. The October 2006 U.S. issue featured a nude photo of Mamie Van Doren, then 75, but it was not taken by Playboy.

___

2015

Playboy announces it will no longer run photos of completely naked women.

___

Sources include Playboy website.

This image released by Playboy shows the cover of the June 1965 issue of the gentleman's magazine featuring a redhead in head-wrap, staring intently above her sunglasses. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and '60s by bringing nudity into America's living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. Starting in March, 2016, Playboy's print edition will still feature women in provocative poses, but they will no longer be fully nude. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
This image released by Playboy shows Playmate of the Year Donna Michelle on the cover of the May 1965 issue of the gentleman's magazine. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and '60s by bringing nudity into America's living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. Starting in March, 2016, Playboy's print edition will still feature women in provocative poses, but they will no longer be fully nude. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
This image released by Playboy shows Playmate of the Year Anna Nicole Smith on the cover of the June 1993 issue of the gentleman's magazine. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and '60s by bringing nudity into America's living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. Starting in March, 2016, Playboy's print edition will still feature women in provocative poses, but they will no longer be fully nude. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
This image released by Playboy shows Kate Moss on the cover of the January/February 2014 60th anniversary issue of the gentleman's magazine. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and '60s by bringing nudity into America's living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. Starting in March, 2016, Playboy's print edition will still feature women in provocative poses, but they will no longer be fully nude. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
This image released by Playboy shows Jenny McCarthy on the cover of the January 2005 issue of the gentleman's magazine. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and '60s by bringing nudity into America's living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. Starting in March, 2016, Playboy's print edition will still feature women in provocative poses, but they will no longer be fully nude. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
This image released by Playboy shows Darine Stern on the cover of the October 1971 issue of the gentleman's magazine. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and '60s by bringing nudity into America's living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. Starting in March, 2016, Playboy's print edition will still feature women in provocative poses, but they will no longer be fully nude. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
This cover image released by Playboy shows the October 2015 college issue of the gentleman's magazine. The magazine that helped usher in the sexual revolution in the 1950s and ’60s by bringing nudity into America’s living rooms announced this week that it will no longer run photos of completely naked women. (Playboy via AP) The Associated Press
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.