Institute bans use of Playboy test image in engineering journals

Lena Forsen picture used as reference photo since 1970s now breaches code of ethics, professional association says

Cropped from the shoulders up, the Playboy centrefold of Swedish model Lena Forsen looking back at the photographer is an unlikely candidate for one of the most reproduced images ever.

Shortly after it was printed in the November 1972 issue of the magazine, the photograph was digitised by Alexander Sawchuk, an assistant professor at the University of California, using a scanner designed for press agencies. Sawchuk and his engineering colleagues needed new images to test their processing algorithms. Bored with TV test images, they turned to the centrefold, defending its choice by noting that it featured a face and a mixture of light and dark colours. Fortunately, the limits of the scanner meant that only the top five inches were scanned, with just Forsen's bare shoulder hinting at the nature of the original picture.