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Home | Arts-and-entertainment | Tattoos
Tattoo- Tattoo History 
By: Mike Wamoult
When you take a look back through time and study where tattoos originated from it is actually quite interesting. Sailors who were overseas in the Pacific Islands were actually giving themselves tattoos. From there the custom was introduced to the Europeans. This is likely about as far back as most people have any given knowledge about but it is believed that tattooing actually started in Egypt, before Egypt was even an organized society, 6,000 years ago.
During the Egyptian times tattoos were not borne simply to be displayed on bodies as forms of artwork but for symbolic reasons. The earliest tattoos were borne by women on their legs as a superstitious measure of protection against the dangers of childbirth. It was from Egypt that the practice of tattooing spread to other parts of Africa as well as into Asia and the Pacific Islands through various means such as through trade lines and travelers.
Archaeologists and Anthropologists discovered the mummified figure of a man in ice who dated back to the year 3300 BC and he had markings on his body similar to tattoos. These scientists believe that this is the earliest recorded evidence as to the existence of tattoos. More common tattoos were found on both Egyptian as well as Nubian mummies from the 2000 BC era.
Ever since this period, different cultures have used the art of tattooing in one form or another for different purposes. Some of the purposes of tattooing include religious and superstitious reasons. Others have chosen to bear tattoos for historical reasons. Tattoos have also been more than an indication of such reasons and have also played a role as symbols of pride. Polynesians allowed both men and women to bear tattoos but in various other cultures only men were allowed to bear tattoos. In Japan the art of tattooing even goes back earlier than the period it was discovered in the West and was used for various purposes.
The first electric tattoo machine was first invented by Thomas Edison in 1876 which was actually supposed to be an electric engraver. Ironically, years later it began the revolution of tattooing. From there the machines just began to become more and more advanced and profound. From Edison's original blueprints, a man named Samuel O'Reilly created the electric pen which was also a huge advancement towards how tattoos were given.
The machine which is usually in use nowadays was made by Charlie Wagner and it is a dual coil reciprocating engraver specifically made for tattooing. Modern circuses always have one show or the other where a man or woman covered in tattoos is on display. This also played a role in what contributed to the history of tattoos in America.
Pope Hadrian banned tattooing all the way back in 787 AD so there has always been controversy surrounding tattoos. After a Hepatitis outbreak in the 1960's was blamed on tattooing, many states outlawed the art. Tattooing had become synonymous with rebellion, gangs, dirty sailors, and motorcycles.
Nowadays after centuries following the origin of tattoos, they are becoming less of a taboo subject and more of an accepted art. More and more professional outlets are opening and artists are pushing boundaries with different media in terms of tattoo art.
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