Before Cindy Margolis or Tila Tequila, there was the lovely and talented Lena Söderberg, nee Sjööblom, Playboy’s Miss November 1972.

Photographed by Dwight Hooker.

In the early days of the internet and the design of graphical interface, a cropped version of Miss Sjööblom’s centerfold, famously known as “Lenna,” was the standard test image by which graphic designers measured and compared advances in color, transitions, uniform regions, and sharp edges.

In the early Seventies, an unknown researcher at the University of Southern California working on compression technologies scanned in the image of Lena’s centerfold. Since that time, images of the Playmate have been used as the industry standard for testing ways in which pictures can be manipulated and transmitted electronically.

Over the past 25 years, no image has been more important in the history of imaging and electronic communications, and today the mysterious Lena is considered the First Lady of the Internet (“The Search For Lena: Discovering one Playmate’s role in the history of the Internet,” Playboy Enterprises, 1997).

“The use of her photo is clearly one of the most important events in the history of electronic imaging,” [President of the Society for Imaging Science and Technology Jeff] Seideman said. Image compression is what has made the World Wide Web the wildly popular communications medium it is today.

Seideman adds that he is working with Playboy’s archivist to re-scan Lena’s image and compile all the missing information, including everything from the type of photo emulsion used to make the print to the technical specifications of the scanner.

In this way, Seideman says, the image of this Playboy Playmate can remain the standard reference image for comparing compression technologies into the 21st century.

This is Lena Söderberg these days, pictured with the loveable dork who tracked her down for his imaging conference.

Lena has said that she finds her celebrity status amusing and has made no move to cash in on whatever cache might be got from it. She is content to keep her job working with the handicapped for the government in Stockholm, Sweden and living with her retired husband. Sometimes good things happen to perfectly normal people: what a welcome respite from the would-be reality stars and Paris Hilton wannabes choking up our malls and bars and television sets, desperately clawing at one another for a shot at even thirty seconds of fame. All’s well that ends well!

Questa immagine non dirà niente ai più. In realtà non diceva niente neanche a noi fino a qualche minuto fa.

Lenna (così si chiama l’immagine in questione) è l’immagine più frequentemente utilizzata dal 1973 ad oggi per i test sugli algoritmi di compressione delle immagini.

La leggenda narra che “alcuni ingegneri della University of Southern California (USC) del dipartimento di Signal and Image Processing Institute (SIPI), svilupparono uno scanner per le loro ricerche nel campo del processamento di immagini, quello che avrebbe gettato le basi per gli standard JPEG and MPEG. Tali ricerche erano finanziate dal Pentagono per il progetto ARPANET, uno dei progenitori dell’attuale World Wide Web. Per “sfida” interna tra le varie immagini campione, accadde che fosse usata l’immagine di una Playmate della pagina centrale della rivista Playboy. Avendo bisogno di un’immagine con un viso umano, presero la parte superiore della immagine della pagina e iniziarono a sperimentarla sullo scanner. L’immagine doveva essere di 512×512 pixel, ed avendo lo scanner una precisione di 100 dpi effettuarono la scansione su un quadrato di 5.12 pollici. I visitatori del centro alla fine delle dimostrazioni, chiedevano copia dell’immagine originale e quella ottenuta dallo scanner, così da poterla paragonare con le copie da loro ottenute con i loro algoritmi usando la medesima immagine.” (da Wikipedia).

La scelta viene così spiegata da David C. Munson dell’IEEE: “Per prima cosa, l’immagine è tecnicamente l’ideale per testare diversi algoritmi di compressione dell’immagine. In secondo luogo, Lenna è l’immagine di una donna attraente e non è sorprendente che la comunità di ricercatori del campo, per la stragrande maggioranza uomini, abbiano scelto una donna che trovavano attraente”. Insomma, non si tratta solo di una scelta compiuta da segaioli compulsivi e impenitenti. L’immagine era tecnicamente perfetta per i test.

Il volto era quello di Lena Sjööblom (al secolo Lena Söderberg), coniglietta della pagina centrale di Playboy del novembre 1972 (numero più venduto di sempre della rivista). All’epoca ventunenne oggi vive in Svezia, sposata e con tre figli. Lavora per un ente governativo per il sostegno dei disabili e per lungo tempo ha ignorato di essere stata utilizzata come cavia dai terribili ragazzi dell’”image-processing” che oggi la invitano alle loro conferenze, le chiedono autografi e le dedicano poesie.

Ed ora veniamo alle curiosità.

Nel (bel) film di Woody Allen “Sleeper” (titolo italiano: “Il dormiglione”), a Miles Monroe, ibernato nel 1973 e risvegliato nel 2173, vengono mostrati dei reperti del ventesimo secolo. Tra questi il mitico paginone centrale del novembre 1972.

Lena è stata scelta come coniglietta del mese dopo l’attrice di origini norvegesi Sharon Johansen, la quale sfrutterà la fama guadagnata con il posterone per ottenere un ruolo di secondo piano in “The Jerk” (titolo italiano: “Lo straccione”), film di poco successo con Steve Martin. La coniglietta del mese che seguì Lena fu invece Mercy Rooney, già nota agli appassionati di film sexploitation per aver avuto un ruolo da protagonista come Merci Montello in Space-Thing (regia di Byron Mabe).

Infine, una domanda per l’allegra comunità di ricercatori: perché mai non utilizzare un’immagine attuale di Lena per i test?

Fonte importantissima: The Rest of the Lenna Story

Artist Lenna will give a one night only concert at Cafe Bacio in West Hollywood L.A. this Saturday 3/14!

If you are in the Los Angeles area please come and support Thor’s cause. I will be there, sellling donated things (very nice items, new purse hangers and maybe even some Find Thor T-shirts, if they arrive before Saturday).

Check out the artists:  Lennamusic.com and http://www.myspace.com/ladiesandgentsmusic .

Saturday, March 14, 2009. Musical performance starts at 5 PM.

@ Caffe Bacio
6541 Santa Monica BlvdLos Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 856-0098

Door Cover Donation: $10

L.E.X Progressive Vox 9:08

L.E.X. Tribal Dub 8:11

L.E.X. Progressive Radio Edit 4:30

Scotty K’s Vocal Club 10:33

Scotty K’s Chantstrumental 8:45

Scotty K Radio Edit 4:31

Link: http://www.mediafire.com/?d1gj3mttet5

There are some interesting new shoes on the Bakers website, some of which very closely resemble much more expensive designer brands, so I thought they were definitely worth mentioning! As you know this website is all about being on a fashion budget!!

PAXTON A, Bakers

PAXTON A, Bakers,$39.99

I love the heel height on this with the hidden platform, and that print is great–it doesn’t scream animal print, it just smoothly states it. I’m also enjoying the round toe as it makes it a more approachable shoe.

4 1/2″ heel. Material/Fur.

CAYLEE, Bakers

CAYLEE, Bakers, $79.95

As you may know I’m still not at all tired of the gladiator-inspired platform sandals, and the blues on this shoe make it really intriguing. Also loving the zipper.

4 1/4″ heel. Material/Snake Leather.

RUFFLES, Bakers

RUFFLES, Bakers, ON SALE FOR $69.99 (originally $79.95)

This looks oddly familiar!! With the exception of the color, this shoe is pretty much the same as the one by L.A.M.B. (which is known for its yellow color.) This is a much cheaper option, and who can complain about that!! The ruffles have a nice, almost aquatic flair, and it also has a back zip closure.

4 1/2″ heel. Material/Faux Leather.

MOROCCO, Bakers

MOROCCO, Bakers, $59.95

The title is Oh So Appropriate!! This gladiator sandal has so much detailing and embellishments, what’s not to love!?

By Dollhouse.

CHLEO, Bakers

CHLEO, Bakers, $79.95

Another very similar style to one of L.A.M.B.’s shoes, this peep toe bootie has enough straps to keep your foot quite secure, and make you look like a total bad ass in the mean time!

4 1/4″ heel. Material/Faux Leather.

CORI, Bakers

CORI, Bakers, $89.95

For some reason the side of the vamp reminds me of sun rays and makes me think of a Mayan temple. Not quite sure, but I love it just the same! This woven gladiator sandal has a lot of unique detailing which makes it a great buy!

4 1/4″ heel. Material/Faux Leather.

LENNA, Bakers

LENNA, Bakers, $79.95

In my opinion I saved the best for last. I do tend to have a thing for black and white, but these gladiators are very unexpected and for that I love them.

4 1/2″ heel. Material/Leather.

Valokuvatorstaissa haettiin tällä kertaa inspiraatiota kirjoista tai niiden nimistä. Erica Jongin filosiofian mukaan uneksia voi mistä vain. Tai kenties pelätä mitä vain.

Lennä – jos kykenet, kalkkuna!

This past Friday, my dance chart was updated. You’ll find it, as usual, here: http://www.djwesley.com/chart/ Following are some observations on this past week’s data:

• Janet Jackson Feedback is still #1. The song is wearing out prematurely for me, but that’s also in part because they already released the next single, Rock With U.
• Speaking of wearing out early, Donna Summer’s I’m a Fire is getting sorta tiresome already as well, although it moved up a notch to #4.
• Ron Perkov’s I Get Off continues to receive a ton of requests during my online sets, resulting in a move to #5. The variety of solid mixes of the track will contribute to its staying near the top for awhile to come I’m guessing.
• Filo & Peri’s Anthem continues its decline at #14 this week. I still like the song, and so do the audiences, but it’s just getting supplanted by the volume of new material that’s out there.
• Erika Jayne’s Stars has been out since last fall (that’s when I got a promo of it, anyway), but is just now starting to gain some traction for my chart (and others, I’ve noticed). Not a whole lot of stong mixes of it in my view, but it’s a good track.
• Among adds this week is Cannyrock with Cube Ah. I’m not sure I’m personally that wild about this track, but people have gone nuts for it… Very enthusiastic response. Not sure where this one will go.
• Also in the adds this week is the latest from my friends Cory and Jennifer at Pleasure Center, their new track for ‘08, Love’s a Basic Freedom. They’re positioning this track as a sort of gay pride anthem for the year, and the political messaging aside, it’s a strong track; probably the best yet from this terrific duo.
• Lenna’s I Can Hear the Money seems a good track that I couldn’t resist adding this week.
• Colette’s If is a new fave; I’m anxious to see where it tracks from here.

As usual, I’ll have a new chart up this Friday.

A/n: Just a short story about role conflicts. I may add to Lenna’s story with another chapter. But, its really a short story. So, either way i can live knowing it has an end.

I can feel an indescribable pain in my chest where I feel as if nothing will fill me up, and my thoughts keep racing back and forth. Everything I feel, at the moment, I deserve for being naïve and thinking I was special enough not to be added to the statistic— Believing there was love beyond sex. There is no such thing as romantic love. All that exists is sex. Sex is emptying whether attached to a beautifully written score in a romantic comedy or in an average hotel room where you spread your legs open and pull down your panties because you know love is merely some shitty illusion.

I have no choice other than a sex toy.

No more ambition in this purposeless life.

My body is used and knowing.

There is nothing that can cleanse my tainted soul.

Since I’m such a dirty girl he can fuck me all he wants.

“Talk Dirty to Me” I tell him

Somehow, the dirtier the words turn me into the woman who screws up your marriage the way another dirty girl screwed up my parents. When you say these words to me it feels as if I’m not pretending to be innocent and justifies the pleasant tingling sensation coursing through my body. Like a fat woman giving away her desires of thin to every sinful fork full of chocolate cake, your words make me understand because I’m a dirty girl I can be only 17 and have sex with a married 47 year old.

Sun shines through the drapes, I am tangled in your pale arms, your eyes are closed, and I can feel your steady breathing on my ear. My body is here but my mind is distant as I stare at the light white curtains and look down at the small puddle of salty tears my cheek is laying in. I feel as if I don’t belong here. This place is too clean for someone as dirty as me.

I untangle myself from your arms as you sleep like an innocent stranger and walk to the shower. I need the water hot enough to scrub away my dirty skin and remove the transgressions of last night. My mind keeps wishing I could scrub away all the dirt and tainted memories and start fresh as:

Lenna— the girl who dreamed of knight’s and white horses sweeping her away to a castle.

Lenna—the girl who thought that sex and love were always connected.

Lenna—who felt the world was limitless, and right and wrong not muddled by grey area.

After 30 minutes of showering I realize I will never be the same Lenna again. All that is left of my virginal innocence is a memory I attempt to recreate because I do not know who this new dirty girl replacing Lenna is. My mind is unsure if I should show my new sexuality to everyone or pretend as if I do not know what sexuality is. Pretend to know sex is something reserved for two willing lovers. I am only a false imitation of the old Lenna because it easier to be predictable then spontaneously new. Prepared for class, homework in hand, and phony smile on my lips no one will know how I am a working man’s dirty secret he hides from his wife.

Caught in between being a dirty girl and Lenna, I clutch my body tightly as I walk into home room. My mind is conscious of every atom floating by me. Staring at the floor when my friends Ellen and Morgan’s eyes meet my body, my heart skips a beat, throat closes, and breathing quickens. I wonder if they can see I am a dirty-girl.

Ellen plays with her pink lip gloss as she says loudly “I hear she is a whore, ya know, sleeping with anyone who will pay, and won’t play.”        

My eyes meet Ellen’s.

I can’t stop wondering how they found out.

How I will convince them I am not a dirty girl?

My head lowers in shame.

Bite my lip.

Get ready to spout excuses

Open my mouth….

“Lenna, don’t you think she’s a slut” Morgan the black girl Ellen was talking to says to me.

“Who?”

“Marietta the girl sitting in front of you”

The blond girl who sits in front of me with blue eyes lowers her head, bites her lip, and takes a breath. She has prepared herself for the heckling we dirty girls get when found out. The place where we aren’t called dirty names in need of us to satisfy something for someone. One of the reasons we dirty girls pretend to be Lennas-in need of noble knights- when we’re not.

I don’t want to heckle her. I want to wrap my arms around her in a hug so she knows she isn’t alone in being a dirty girl. We share a kinship she does not realize because her eyes stare down at the wooden desk. If she were to look into my eyes she’d know I was on her same level.

“Yep” I say in response to Ellen “Definitely a slut”

If Marietta was to look into my eyes and not hide herself in the shame of being a dirty girl she’d understand the price we pay for pretending to be Lennas in the day is we can only be dirty girls at night.

Everyone who is academically familiar with the image processing techniques and implementation of algorithms in this field, may be familiar with popular image processing photos, like “Lenna”, the “Cameraman“, the “Crowd” … too.

I often think about the personality of the owner of this portraits while applying my algorithms on them. Tonight, I find out that I am not the only one who is curious about it.

– - -

This is the biography of “Lenna”, the miss beauty of the image processing world, with her calm, pretty, beautified feature.

The mentioned photo is part of an pornographic photo belong to Play.Boy magazine. I think it has been amazing for old Lenna to know how her photo is widely used in an unrelated job!

- – -

Here is a poem called “Sonnet for Lenna”, a nice comic poem:

O dear Lena, your beauty is so vast
It is hard sometimes to describe it fast.
I thought the entire world I would impress
If only your portrait I could compress.
Alas! First when I tried to use VQ
I found that your cheeks belong to only you.
Your silky hair contains a thousand lines
Hard to match with sums of discrete cosines.
And for your lips, sensual and tactual
Thirteen Crays found not the proper fractal.
And while these setbacks are all quite severe
I might have fixed them with hacks here or there
But when filters took sparkle from your eyes
I said, “F..k this shit. I’ll just digitize.”

by Thomas C

- – -

Here you can find more about it:

• http://www.lenna.org
• http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~chuck/lennapg/
• http://ndevilla.free.fr/lena/
• http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~chuck/lennapg/pcs_mirror/may_june01.pdf