The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue is eagerly awaited by millions each February. Started as a filler for what was usually a slow sports month, the Swimsuit Issue has brought Supermodels such as Cheryl Tiegs, Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova, Elle MacPherson, Kathy Ireland, Vendela Kirsebom, Daniela Pestova, Tyra Banks, Heidi Klum, Rebecca Romijn, Petra Nemcova, Veronica Varekova, and Marisa Miller into the living rooms of millions.

Whereas it's true that the Swimsuit Issue is responsible for launching more supermodel careers than any other publication, it's also true that the Swimsuit Issue is not without it's controversy. Women's rights groups cry exploitation, others say it doesn't belong in a "sports" magazine, and all of us will compare it with the memory of issues past. In reality, the Swimsuit Issue hasn't changed all that much in the past 30 years.

The names may have changed, but the Swimsuit Issue is still very familiar. Compare images of Christie, Kathy, Rebecca and Bar Refaeli, or Paulina, Elle, Heidi, and Marisa Miller. Or Ashley Richardson, Stacey Williams, and Laetitia Casta. Despite all of the controversy that surrounds the Swimsuit Issue, Sports Illustrated has held true to its formula--and will continue to produce a magazine that some will buy, everyone will thumb through, and all will compare to the year's past issues.