I don&#x27;t remember where I read this, so I can&#x27;t really vouch for its reliability, but supposedly the articles <i>were</i> the magazine&#x27;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 &quot;too gay,&quot; and so discourage straight men from buying the magazine. Hence the naked women were added to make the reader feel secure in their heterosexuality.