Here are some key points about Traci Lords' 1984 Penthouse feature:

The "lifestyle" aspect was crucial. Penthouse sold Lords as an aspirational figure. She wasn't just a performer; she was a "Pet." The Pet of the Year title came with a car, a check, and the key to a specific kind of celebrity. She guest-starred on The Phil Donahue Show . She walked red carpets. She was the proof that the adult industry could produce mainstream stars.

, which forced her resignation as Miss America, and the centerfold appearance of , who was later revealed to be a minor at the time. The September 1984 Penthouse Issue

to a mass-market audience, a moment that would later redefine the boundaries of the adult entertainment industry. The Infamous September 1984 Issue This specific edition was Penthouse's 15th Anniversary Issue

While Traci Lords is most famous for her adult films, her association with Penthouse magazine serves as the anchor of this story.

The September 1984 issue of Penthouse is legendary in publishing history for two reasons: