The History of the Tattoo Machine
Wednesday, July 25, 2018 IST
More and more people are getting tattoos today, and they do not carry the same social stigma that they used to. But we didn't always use the tattoo machines that you see in your standard parlor.
History and Patenting
The electric tattooing machine was officially patented on Dec. 8th, 1891 by a New York tattoo artist named Samuel O'Reilly. But even O’Reilly would be the first to admit that his invention was really an adaptation of a machine invented by Thomas Edison—the Autographic Printing Pen. O’Reilly witnessed a demonstration of the electric pen, a sort of writing drill that Edison had built to allow documents to be etched into stencils and then copied. The electric pen was a failure. The tattooing machine was an unqualified, worldwide smash.
How it Works
O’Reilly’s tattoo machine worked by using a hollow needle filled with permanent ink. An electric motor powered the needle in and out of the skin at a rate of up to 50 punctures per second. The tattoo needle inserted a small drop of ink below the surface of the skin each time. The original machine patent allowed for different sized needles deliver varying amounts of ink, a very design-focused consideration.
Related Topics
Trending News & Articles
While the Uttarakhand High Court has asked to block 857 websites, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) found 30 portals without any pornographic content.
...
Recently posted . 64K views . 1 min read
The four boys as well as five school officials, including the director and principal, were arrested after the incident. The minors were presented before the Juvenil...
Recently posted . 9K views . 1 min read
Rahul was having an Italian passport and was carrying suitcase full of dollars. Some say it was about was it $2 million.
Rahul and his girl friend was th...
Recently posted . 9K views . 7 min read
True – Tr...
Recently posted . 8K views . 83 min read
More in Spiritual
India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) services are now available at 650 branches and 3,250 access points
Recently posted. 775 views . 0 min read
Ambergris is a waxy substance that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale, found floating in tropical seas and used in perfume manufacture.<...
Recently posted. 791 views . 1 min read
Left-libertarians have no problems cadging sponsorships from the same ‘evil’ corporates for their lit-fests, and generous wine ’n cheese laden e...
Recently posted. 664 views . 1 min read
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 1K views
Recently posted . 2K views
Recently posted . 1K views . 48 min read
Recently posted . 3K views . 52 min read
The GoM also directed officials of all the three relevant authorities in the region, as well as the Greater Noida SSP, to take action against eight builders again...
Recently posted. 669 views . 1 min read
The penalty will also be applicable if a group is seen drinking in public, in which case the fine will be Rs 10,000. State Tourism Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar conf...
Recently posted. 808 views . 2 min read