Original Playboy Logo

The origin of the famous 'playboy' rabbit head?
Designed by Art Paul, Playboy magazine's first art director, the rabbit head
has appeared on the cover of every issue of the magazine since the second.
hugh hefner, the creator of the 'playboy' magazine, once explained,
'I selected a rabbit as the symbol for the magazine
because of the humorous sexual connotation, and because he offered an
image that was frisky and playful. I put him in a tuxedo to add the idea of
sophistication. there was another editorial consideration, too.
since both 'the new yorker' and 'esquire' use men as their symbols,
I felt the rabbit would be distinctive; and the notion of a rabbit dressed up
in formal evening attire struck me as charming, amusing and right.'