I know next to nothing about Betty Paige accept the numerous photos of her on Reddit, but she seems much more 'current' and natural today, than other 1950's sex symbols to emerge from the 1940s and 50s. Despite perhaps exposing more skin, there seems to be a more care-free playfulness to her with less of the dark history and haunting psychology behind the heavily-made up Marilyn Monroe. What were the prevailing opinions of her at the time? Was she even a household name?
Bettie Page was not a household name in the 50's. She did a lot of stag films for Irving Klaw and was probably not even known to most of the viewers of those films at that time. Bettie Page the name did not become somewhat known until the late 80's. I remember her hairstyle was copied by women at that time. That was part of her iconic look that helped people remember her at that time. Although I'm sure most people who bought her nude pictures at that time (1950's) knew who she was, they would be a very minority of people. Her biggest thing back then that would have given her the most exposure was her appearance in Playboy. She never did become a household name, more of a person only cool people know.