Hefner mortgaged his furniture to launch Playboy
Hugh Hefner mortgaged his furniture to generate a bank loan of $600 to launch the Playboy magazine in December 1953. Hefner, who worked as a copywriter for 'Esquire' magazine, quit his job in January 1952 after he was denied a $5 raise. He further raised $8,000 from 45 investors, of which $1,000 came from his mother.\n