The Accidental Icons

The Maxell Ad
An icon of the 1980s, the Maxell "blow-away guy" owned everything a yuppie should, from his Le Corbusier chair to his killer sound system. This photo by Steve Steigman first appeared in 1979 as a possible ad for trade magazines, but soon after, Maxell built a consumer campaign around it, including a TV spot. A dorm-room favorite, the image became a prominent feature in some of the company's package design, and Maxell used it in a new campaign launched in 2005.

Steigman (who died in 2004) became one of the most sought-after commercial photographers of the 1980s, shooting ads for the likes of Miller beer and Nike. "For over two decades Steve was a top photographer, but clearly will be remembered for the Maxell photo," says Brian Coles, his longtime business partner.

A tireless self-promoter, Steigman once hired a plane to tow a banner of the Maxell picture, emblazoned with his name. "He always had the belief that if you're going to do something, really do it," Coles says. "Have something truly memorable."