Playboy was the magazine for adults and was known the world over for its nudity and provocative photographs, especially the centerfold. The magazine was the brain child of the legendary Hugh Hefner and upcoming beauties vied with one another to be the next centerfold – once there, it meant that she had arrived.
Why Playboy dropped nudity
It is common knowledge that Playboy and nudity went hand in hand, and, in the pre-internet era, viewing such photographs to get a kick was the norm in a section of society. The magazine broke all taboos and was a pioneer in its day.
However, with the entry of the internet into our lives and easy availability of such material at the touch of a button, an alternative arrived. The decision was taken in March 2016 to drop nudity – the intention was to broaden its appeal online and in print.
Decision reversed, nudity returns
Therefore, it came as a surprise when Playboy suddenly announced that it will bring back nudity and return to its original form. The announcement was made a year after the company decided to stop printing pictures of naked women. The March/April edition of the magazine had the hashtag #NakedIsNormal and added that removing nudity from Playboy was "entirely a mistake." This statement was made by none other than Cooper Hefner, the 25-year-old son of the founder Hugh Hefner.
Power struggle in Playboy
There was a veritable power struggle in the company between former Playboy chief executive Scott Flanders, and Copper Hefner, the son of Hugh Hefner. The clash was over the issue of banning fully naked pictures in the magazine. Cooper apparently did not see eye to eye with Scott Flanders and it went to such a level that Cooper was asked not to appear in board meetings.
However, the departure of Scott Flanders paved the way for Playboy to return to its original form and Cooper has clarified that the aim of Hugh Hefner in launching the magazine had been to promote a healthy conversation about sex, simultaneously encouraging dialogue on other aspects of life which are equally important.
