By the late 1950s into the 1960s, however, the bachelor pad was considered one of the prime possessions for a young career-minded man with the disposable income (its first mention in print was 7 June 1959, in the Chicago Tribune).
At this cultural tipping point the thought of being single was welcomed as permitting freedom of action, and many men felt comfortable to court a number of women freely without matrimony in mind.
The typical accoutrements of a "pad" featured a bar, an artwork, designer furniture (usually by a well-known architect),[5] minimalistic décor, and a hi-fi stereo system (for jazz and lounge music).
All of which supposedly showcased the bachelor's appreciation of culture and the arts, which in turn attracted potential female visitors themselves seeking high-status mates – which meant they were usually kept clean.
Several men may share a pad and its expenses for financial reasons or friendship, which stereotypically worsens living conditions compared to the one person case, as depicted in The Odd Couple and its derivatives.