More Than Ink

                                                     

       Like Marijuana, Tattoos have created "a multi-billion dollar industry." Not only is it part of our

culture, but heritage. Although most Americans would agree it is body art, it is far more than a craft

and practiced everywhere.

     According to the FDA, 45 million Americans had tattoos in 2012. Over the years, it has increased

in popularity and tradition. But, tattooing originated far back in time, than we expected.

     In the late 1800s, the tattoo machine was invented by Samuel O' Reilly. By revising Thomas

Edison's "autographic printer," O'Reilly's tattoo machine was introduced to America.

     The very first to "set the trend" were men of royalty. In fact, Britain's Prince of Wales also had

some body art engraved on his body. Since his engravement, New York's "high society" have also

tattooed their bodies. However, during the 18th century, tattoos were made at home. Because parlors

were not create yet, tattoo artists visited their clients at their residence.  

     The most popular and most utilized designs were butterflies, flowers, and dragons. In fact, British

Prime Minister Winston Churchill's mother, Lady Randolph Churchill hid her tattoo, a snake, from

all by wearing bracelets on her wrists.

     Later, women discovered body art, as a way to earn a living at a "circus or sideshow." It was

during the mid 19th century and early 20th century, that opportunities of "fame" and stability were

being offered to women, especially through financial hardships. As a result, tattoos helped women to

take "control of their bodies."

     In 1870, tattoo parlors were established in New York. The very first tattoo artist, Martin

Hildebrandt, made tattoos available for soldiers. Tattoos of "pin-ups" were common among the Navy.

Due to its first tattoo parlor and tattoo machine invention, New York has always been known as "the

birthplace of modern tattoos."

     However, there are three different types of tattoos, which have been later introduced as:

cosmetic, medical, and professional. Cosmetic tattoos in such places as, "lips and eyelids" improve

"color and definition of facial features."

     Professional tattoos are simply "body decorations" with "symbolic meaning." Such tattoos as

designs, names, dates of deceased or loved ones are all considered professional.

     Medicinal tattoos are permanent and used to "pinpoint an area for treatment."

     Tattoos can either cover up or decorate the body. Tattooing first originated in the East Coast and

later arrived in the West Coast. Before making its way to the West Coast, Tattoos were already "a

fashion statement for socialites" in the "Victorian 19th Century."

     Throughout time, tattooing was performed with many different tools, such as needles by the "Iban

people of Borneo," palm thorns by the "Kayabi of the Brazilian Amazon," and nails by the "Menta

Wai of Indonesia."

     Tattoos were not only performed by men, but, women. "Skin stitching" was introduced by the

Yupiget women on St. Lawrence Island of the coast of Alaska in the Bering Sea.

     Although tattooing may seem inappropriate for the body, it is ancient body art with a history and

meaning of its own.