A brief history of pin-up girls

12/20/2019

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Culture Story: A brief history of pin-up girls

It doesn’t matter whether you like pin-up girls or not, they leave no one untouched. Pin-up girls tell us the story of how war, markets, and sexuality shape society and norms. The influence of pin-up art is still pretty strong. Let’s enjoy that era and find out some interesting facts about it!

Beginning in the early 19th century, pin-up modeling had "theatrical origins". It is connected with burlesque performers and actresses, whose appearance was often used for photographic advertisement.

Prior to World War II they were praised for their beauty and less focus was on their sexuality. However, during the war, the drawings transformed into women playing dress-up in military drag and drawn in seductive manners.

Among the celebrities who were considered sex symbols, one of the most popular early pin-up girls was Betty Grable, whose poster was ubiquitous in the lockers of soldiers of the United States Army during World War II.

The classic style of the pin-up originates back from the 1940s. Due to the shortages of materials during WWII, this period of makeup is considered the "natural beauty" look. However, women were encouraged to keep buying lipstick and to send letters to the front covered in 'lipstick kisses' to boost the morale of the soldiers.

Pin-up images could be cut out of magazines or newspapers, or on a postcard or lithograph. Such pictures often appear on walls, desks, or calendars. Posters of pin-ups were mass-produced and became popular from the mid-20th century.

Pin-ups are intended for informal display, i.e. meant to be "pinned-up" on a wall. These pictures are also sometimes known as cheesecake photos. "Cheesecake" was an American slang word, that was considered a publicly acceptable term for seminude women.

Female supporters of early pin-up content considered these to be a "positive post-Victorian rejection of bodily shame and a healthy respect for female beauty." Conversely, female protesters argued that these images were corrupting societal morality and saw these public sexual displays of women as destroying their dignity and reducing them to mere objects to pleasure men.

What is your opinion on the subject? Share in the comments below!

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

48 Comments

Lee Miller

Ah the good ole days when it was socially acceptable for men to find women visually attractive. Now it's a crime. I remember those good ole days and yes they were much better than today when we bend to every complaint and demand of people who are permanently offended by everything except being as offensive as possible to everyone else around them. Climbing down from my soap box and dragging my knuckles back to my cave.

Joy Holbrook

These clothed women have much more allure than the almost naked, plastic princesses of today.

theotishaynes

I agree with you Lee Miller. Things was much simpler back in the day when seeing a beautiful woman wasn’t a crime. Nowadays you can’t even compliment a woman on how attractive she is without being sexually inappropriate. I do agree there are some of us men that might take things a little too far and that’s why societal norms had to change.

Linda Seifert

They served a purpose and made a statement. They were a welcome distraction for the "boys in service". One cannot see a pinup poster without thinking about WWll. I think they were cute, along with Rosie the Riveter, they made a statement.

Diane Lynn Kinsman

Don't think of anything wrong with them. BTW, I never minded getting a whistle , from guys, Don't see why some girls did.. XOX, loved it. Way back ...

Barb Schmidt

came along in 74 and am a woman. I may be off as say there is nothing wrong with being a woman or a man (and there is so much nonsense being forced but wont go there) and only real thing that should be fixed is if doing the exact same job, pay should be same. Men and women have different bodies, and some things can and will never be the same (weight lifting for eg). As a woman, what is wrong with men enjoying these pics or women enjoying pics of men ??? Somethings from the past should never have gone...seems somethings of the not so good past is back and going beyond....i will not be offended by complements and even truths being told, we are all human and should agree to disagree and just go on living and pics like this remind you of this, you can not change the past, you can add to it as others do have different experiences of said past...be nice if all learned from past...hope you all have a wonderful day/night where ever you are

Don Agey

First there was the Victorian corset and clothes covering everything. Then the revolution where clothes covered almost nothing (I liked that era!). Then everything changed and now you cannot have an honest conversation about anything without considering the consequences should you say something not cleared by whatever oversight committee. Well, I enjoy Pin-Up a

tkudera

It's human nature to be appreciative of members of the opposite sex.And in some instances, it exudes good taste.Back in wartime,it gave our soldiers inspiration, something to live for.To take this away is just another example of being too politically correct. It's a shame where the human race is headed to.

Jeannie Kligman

My ambition in the 50’s was to be a pin up girl... and be gorgeous. 👗👠

Jennifer James

If it kept the lads happy on the front line no harm was done

Jim Johnson

I have always appreciated the art and sensuality of the posters. Very good taste.

lmoores

The world is to pc these days.

Roger Booth

Reminds me of the fun of benny hill shows

L Lh Adams

Diane Lynn Kinsman, The main reason that they resent a whistle is that they get none in their direction.

Sue Grayson

Diane Lynn Kinsman, Me too, it was a big boost to the ego! And way back indeed, I'm almost 79 now but still remember getting whistled even into my 40s as I walked past construction sites in Brisbane on my way to work. Now no-one dares whistle or call out for fear of being charged.

richsupkowski

Lee Miller, I totally agree.

richsupkowski

Joy Holbrook, My Dad went to art school years ago and said painting naked women was not as exciting as painting those partially nude.

johnmarler

My favorite pin up of the day was Bettie Page

Margaret Tokeley

Well saidLee Miller,

Lindsay Fussell

birthdayboy, glad to know that you've got the inside track into God's mind. I'd say He must have had it in his mind to make certain men attractive to women as well so they could pick the man they'd like to be with. I'd be fine with Brad Pitt.

Lindsay Fussell

Carroll Price, you said Ridgid Tool- heh-heh-heh! (cue Beavis and Butthead image)

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