| When you take a look back through time and | | | | marking on criminals to identify them. |
| study where tattoos originated from it is actually | | | | The first electric tattoo machine was first |
| quite interesting. Sailors who were overseas in the | | | | invented by Thomas Edison in 1876 which was |
| Pacific Islands were actually giving themselves | | | | actually supposed to be an electric engraver. |
| tattoos. From there the custom was introduced | | | | Ironically, years later it began the revolution of |
| to the Europeans. This is likely about as far back | | | | tattooing. From there the machines just began to |
| as most people have any given knowledge about | | | | become more and more advanced and profound. |
| but it is believed that tattooing actually started in | | | | From Edison's original blueprints, a man named |
| Egypt, before Egypt was even an organized | | | | Samuel O Reilly created the electric pen which |
| society, 6,000 years ago. | | | | was also a huge advancement towards how |
| Of course during the Egyptian times people were | | | | tattoos were given. |
| not getting tattoos to display on their bodies in | | | | The machine we use today was first patented by |
| the form of artwork but the earliest tattoos | | | | Charlie Wagner, which was called a dual coil |
| were given on women's legs as a symbolic but | | | | reciprocating engraver, especially made for |
| preventative measure to avoid dangers of | | | | tattooing. Circuses also played a big part in the |
| childbirth. From Egypt tattooing was later spread | | | | history of tattooing. The modern circus always |
| and shared with other parts of Africa, into Asia, | | | | has a freak show exhibit has always been the |
| and Pacific islands through trade lines and | | | | heavily tattooed man or woman. This was the |
| travelers. | | | | introduction of tattooing into America. |
| Some scientists say that certain marks on the | | | | Pope Hadrian banned tattooing all the way back in |
| skin of the Iceman which is a mummified human | | | | 787 AD so there has always been controversy |
| body from way back in 3300 BC indicate that | | | | surrounding tattoos. After a Hepatitis outbreak in |
| maybe the earliest evidence of tattoos existed | | | | the 1960s was blamed on tattooing, many states |
| then. More widely recognized are tattoos found on | | | | outlawed the art. Tattooing had become |
| Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from about | | | | synonymous with rebellion, gangs, dirty sailors, and |
| 2000 B.C. | | | | motorcycles. |
| Every culture since has tattooed themselves in | | | | Today, centuries after the origination of tattoos |
| one form or another, for reasons of spirituality, | | | | they are becoming less taboo and more accepted |
| protection, strength, and history. During past | | | | as cleaner, more professional shops open up and |
| times tattoos have been a symbol of pride and a | | | | the artistic boundaries are pushed with the |
| symbol of shame. The Polynesians allowed both | | | | medium of tattoo art. Also, the advances in color |
| men and women to be tattooed, while in other | | | | and other tattoo equipment have made tattoos |
| cultures only men were permitted. The Japanese | | | | more than just a symbol or a testimony, but a |
| have been tattooing since at least 400 BC, for | | | | real piece of art on skin. |
| ornamental and narrative purposes, but also as a | | | | |