The act and art of stripping has evolved through the centuries. Paleolithic cave drawings found in the south of France depict what appears to be one of the earliest recordings of exotic dancing. The drawings are estimated to be around 20,000 years old.
All-nude stripping became legal in Oregon in 1987, with the landmark State vs. Henry—an Oregon Supreme Court decision that protected all-nude stripping under the First Amendment. But, the sex work industry and culture have been shaped by a few influential strippers throughout history.
Carol Ann Doda was a lounge entertainer at San Francisco’s Condor Club. In 1964, she danced topless for the first time, atop a white, baby grand piano, setting a precedent in the area and throughout the country. Eventually, Doda began performing totally nude, until 1972, when California banned full nudity in establishments that served alcohol. Doda continued to strip until the 1980s and performed clothed until 2009. She was also one of the first dancers to enhance her breast size. After silicone injections to increase their size—from a 34B to a 44DD—her breasts were known as "the new twin peaks of San Francisco."
Gypsy Rose Lee’s life has been well-documented in movies, plays and in her own autobiography. Her career as an entertainer started early in life, with an overbearing stage mother from hell, but eventually, Lee landed in New York City at the world-famous club, The Republic. The club was one of the first to feature burlesque on Broadway. The crowd loved Lee and she began performing for sold-out crowds. Lee went on to do film, television and radio. Reviewers at the time were critical of her looks and entertaining ability. Life wrote this about Lee in 1942: "It is safe to assume, no culture but our own could fashion such a unique national character as Gypsy Rose Lee. She cannot sing, dance or act, but she earns more on the stage than Helen Hayes or Katherine Cornell."
When Josephine Baker’s parents were unable to provide for her as a child, she began dancing in the streets for money. She caught the eye of an African American dance theater group and eventually ended up in New York City. It was there, that she began performing burlesque and appearing in her now-famous banana skirt. Baker left the United States for France, and during World War II, she was critical to the French Army in fighting Hitler’s Nazi regime. Baker reportedly helped the French with information she heard while performing, which she transmitted on music sheets. After the war, Baker traveled back to her home in America and was unhappy with rampant segregation and racism against African Americans—she refused to perform for segregated audiences and owners were left with no choice but to allow mixed shows. In 1975, Baker performed one last show at the age of 69 and died the same year.
In the 1988 edition of Guinness Movie Facts & Feats, Chesty Morgan is featured for having the largest real breast size— 73 inches, with a "Q" cup size! Morgan began performing a topless, burlesque-style striptease in the 1970s and it was reported that she was arrested several times after performing, for allowing patrons to touch her breasts. Morgan— whose real name is Lillian Wilczkowska— has also appeared in a handful of films, including the 2018 documentary, The Old Stripper. Morgan performed a final striptease at the age of 51.
