How Pinup Culture Went From Being For Male Audiences To Female Audiences

The risqué and sexy pinup cultures and photographs of the past served as a form of adult entertainment for the male population of the world, but it has a very different meaning in modern times. It went from this inciting imagery to female empowerment seemingly overnight, but really, it's been empowering women for years and years. Here, we take a look at how pinup culture went from being for male audiences to female audiences. What are your thoughts on pinup culture? Do you think that it caters more to male or female … or even both audiences? Let us know in the comments section below.

Origins. According to "The Art of the Pin-up," this culture surrounding both women's objectification and liberation began with a bicycle. The introduction of "safety bicycles" was met by doctors and ministers claiming this new model of bicycle (which would influence the bicycles we use today) would surely harm the fragile insides of a woman's body. Also, that seat would get them aroused … which we're sure you all know about.

Fashion shift. Thanks to the bicycle (and suffrage of course), changes were made to women's fashion, ditching the layers of the 19th century to show more leg. This went through a number of changes, leading all the way up to the roaring '20s and liberating '40s. Eventually, we all realized something that has remained since: sex sells.

Sex sells. Advertisers began using sexually inciting imagery in the 1950s and 1960s, as we're sure "Mad Men" fans are quite aware of. Outside of the scantily clad women in ads and commercials, another revolution was beginning thanks to a publishing mogul by the name of Hugh Hefner. Pinups were about to blow up.

Bettie Page. Arguably the most notable pinup model is Bettie Page. She's a pop culture icon and revolutionary model that changed the world with her poses. She had to deal with plenty of slack, but she powered through the turmoil and started her own revolution in a way. Empowerment in pinup began with Page, and continues to this day.

Playboy. Instead of revealing clothing, Hefner's "Playboy" magazine went for full nudity in what many believed to be classy art photography. Compared to what would come in the adult entertainment industry, it's definitely on the classier side - but at the time it was the first of its kind. A nudie magazine featuring some of the most talked about pinups to this day.

Magazines. By 1955, most magazines were copying Playboy's pinup photography, but took it past the artistic feel and more into the smut realm. At this point, it was clear that anything related to pinup was more for the male audience than the female - especially because the male audience was hiding these pinups from their parents, partners and wives. It would be some time before pinup culture became something more than just sexy images,

Collections. A young pinup collector named Charles Martignette had an obsession with pinups from an early age, and bought his first at the age of 27. Throughout the 1980s, he was purchasing every one he could find - resulting in a 4,300-piece pinup artwork collection. He never exhibited them and only stored them.

Martignette. When the famed collector unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack in 2008, his collection was auctioned off. over the course of four years, 12 auctions were held to properly disband the largest collection of pinup artwork ever. Now, out of hiding, the artwork was free to be pinned up on walls all over the world.

Recently. Since the world is quite aware of the pinup culture and its unique hold over the world of the past, it's experiencing a resurgence of popularity, but for different reasons that before. Women have embraced it as a form of empowerment, reclaiming their sexuality and their bodies in very powerful ways.

Tattoos. Pinup tattoos aren't anything new, especially for male tattoo enthusiasts, but there's certainly a growing (if not already grown) culture of women getting pinups on their bodies with permanent ink. Sometimes, the subjects of the pinup tattoos are family members, which adds a tremendous level of respect to the artwork.

Culture. Many of these women with the pinup tattoos have recreated the style in modern times. You can see a retro influence in a number of fashion trends these days, ranging from leather jackets, patterned attire, and even hairstyles. It's less of a cult following than it is a fashionable lifestyle embraced by millions.

Feminism. There are some camps out there that treat pinup culture like a sect of feminism. It is certainly a powerful form of imagery, featuring women showing off their bodies and confidence, without really thinking too much about who would view the images. It's about them, not the customer. Owning this seemingly degrading art form is certainly a form of feminism.

Repressing. Sexually repressing women over time has been a major issue for progression towards equality, but such forms of creativity-through-sexuality, like pinup culture gives women a chance to get away from the repressed female cultures of the past and into the newer, modern times - even if pinup culture is a retro look.

Photos. Basically any woman can opt to have some pinup photos taken of herself. It's usually done as a gift for her significant other, but it's clearly also a present for themselves. What woman wouldn't want to marvel at a pinup photo of a beautiful woman, that happens to actually be themselves?

You. What are your thoughts on pinup culture and how it's developed into a female-driven medium rather than a form of entertainment for men? Is it sexist or just sexy? Is pinup culture feminism in your mind? Let us know what you think of all of this in the comments section below.