I don't remember where I read this, so I can't really vouch for its reliability, but supposedly the articles were the magazine's original reason for existing. T

I don't remember where I read this, so I can't really vouch for its reliability, but supposedly the articles were the magazine's original reason for existing. The story I read was that Hefner pitched a lifestyle magazine to publishers, but they were worried that the material he wanted to include - cocktails, interior design, arts - would be perceived as "too gay," and so discourage straight men from buying the magazine. Hence the naked women were added to make the reader feel secure in their heterosexuality.