Vanity Fair
June 1984
This image of Brazilian Olympic pole vaulter Tom Hintnaus -- while not intended to be gay or primarily appeal to gays -- is a breakthrough image that lead to the acceptability of the male form in mainstream American advertising.
Featuring Y-front fly briefs, it debuted in New York City's Times Square and took underwear ads -- previously unsexy with Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer -- to a new level.
They featured Hintnaus leaning back like a Greek adonis, emphasizing his crotch and clearly visible penis.
It was created by photographer Bruce Weber (later of Banana Republic and then Abercrombie & Fitch fame) and creative partner Sam Shahid.
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