There’s more to Huey than sex, he claims. American magazine publisher Hugh Hefner changed the savvy of men in the 50s and 60s. When he published Playboy the magazine, he almost instantly became a legend because he had without a doubt, made a historical leap for men, women and challenged the traditional 1950s male role in society.

The men’s magazine was founded by Hefner in 1953 and featured photos of sexy, naked ladies and great journalism writing, but the magazine has received harsh criticism for years. Bilge Ebiri interviewed Hefner and asked about all the wild things people say about him.

Hefner replied, “The criticisms that troubled me the most came from the feminists, from liberals, at the very beginning. I was blindsided by them and didn’t know what they were talking about. The notion that I had demeaned women, or slighted women — I didn’t have any clue as to how to respond to that, I didn’t know how to make any sense of it. I saw myself as being on the side of female liberation.”

Many of Hefner’s critics object to how he depicts women. Many believe the Playboy magazine is pornography, which Hefner disagrees, that degrades women. Hefner admits some of the magazine is erotic, but there are other sections of the magazine that are tasteful and informative. Dr. Martin Luther King even wrote a column on the civil rights movement and it was published by Playboy. Can you picture that one?Every month well established and respected people, usually men, contribute to the magazine. Nevertheless, Playboy broke through all of society’s boundaries and was in the spotlight.

Playboy was created during a very economically successful decade. Americans were making more than enough money, leaving plenty of play money to buy leisure and recreational items. People were happy and feeling financially free, unlike we feel today.

When Playboy hit the racks, it inspired men to be “real men.” It motivated men to be smooth, be single, be rich and enriched with knowledge and life. Hefner broke a social norm and stereotype of the 1950s/60s male and triggered a revolution of free expression. But no matter what he says, he’ll forever be remembered as the man who made casual sex ok.

Hefner Headlines:

- “Stay away from her! Judge bars Hugh Hefner's 21-year-old son from seeing his playmate-of-the-year lover after he 'kicked and punched' her”
- "'Uncensored' Playboy coming to iPad: Hefner"
- “Hugh Hefner Engaged”