also hard-core; 1936 (n.); 1951 (adj.); from hard (adj.) + core (n.). Original use seems to be among economists and sociologists, in reference to unemployables. Extension to pornography is attested by 1966. Also the name of a surfacing material.
hard-ass
hardback
hardball
hard-bitten
hard-boiled
hardcore
hard-cover
harden
hardened
hardener
hard-fought