The magazine’s name came from the successful Playgirl nightclub in Orange County that Lambert owned at the time. Though psychologists at the time doubted that pictures of naked men were what women really wanted, the first issue printed 600,000 copies and sold out the second print run was 2 million. He shocked the publishing industry-and the world-when he introduced Playgirl magazine in 1973. The magazine features five current or former male employees of the bankrupt energy trader shedding all or most of their clothes for a 14-page photo spread called ”The Rise of Enron.” From left to right are: Benjamin Jordan, Mark Zebrowitz, Troy Kosub, Christopher Figueroa, Ronald Williams.This is not Lambert’s first venture in magazines.

Enron Employees Featured in Playgirl Magazine, 2002Įnron employees pose in a spread in the October issue of Playgirl that hit news stands September 17, 2002.New York Police Officer Edward Mallia Promotes his 11-Page Centerfold Spread for the May 1995 Issue Playgirl Magazine on Maat Club Expo in New York City. Image Credit: Ron Galella Collection via Getty Edward Mallia: Centerfold Spread for the May 1995 Issue Playgirl Magazine.He is a filmmaker doing a mockumentary of his yearlong experience. Image Credit: San Francisco Chronicle via Gettĭirk Shafer, “Man of the Year” for Playgirl magazine in 1992, happens to be gay. Dirk Shafer, “Man of the Year” for Playgirl magazine in 1992.While Playgirl may no longer be published, its legacy continues. Playgirl became one of the first magazines to bring male nudity mainstream through bookended the photography with lifestyle content and celebrity stories. During the late 1970s, the magazine sold around 1.5 million copies. When Playgirl first launched it sold out, with 600,000 copies gone in four days. Playgirl was seen as pivotal for the sexual revolution of women, although the magazine did have a significant gay male readership. Playgirl was sued by Playboy in 1973, which was founded by Hugh Hefner, for trademark infringement, but the suit was settled amicably.

While the magazine printed its final issue in 2016, for decades it was a staple of cultural interest, lifestyle, celebrity news and, of course, nude and semi-nude photos of men.įounded in 1973 by Douglas Lambert, Playgirl was seen as a response to erotic men’s magazines, like Playgirl’s sister publication Playboy.

Playgirl has long solidified its place as one of the most iconic magazines in American culture.

Playgirl magazine archives 1983