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by: MikeWamoult
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If you take a look through time and do some research as to where tattoos originated from, you will discover an interesting history. The sailors who had voyaged to the Pacific Islands were giving themselves tattoos having witnessed the practice among natives who inhabited such regions. It was from the Pacific Islands that this practice was brought to the knowledge of Europeans. Despite this fact, the practice of tattooing was reputed to have started in Egypt and way before Egypt was even an organized society more than six millennia ago.

Of course during the Egyptian times people were not getting tattoos to display on their bodies in the form of artwork but the earliest tattoos were given on women's legs as a symbolic but preventative measure to avoid dangers of childbirth. From Egypt tattooing was later spread and shared with other parts of Africa, into Asia, and Pacific islands 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.

From this time on, various cultures have engaged in the practice of tattooing in one form or the other for various reasons, such reasons include spirituality as well as protection strength and history. However tattoos are also more than a symbol of pride, for some people they have been a depiction of a way of life and a culture. The Polynesians permitted both men and women to have tattoos but in most other cultures it was only normal for mean to bear tattoos. The Japanese people have been practicing the art of tattooing as far back as 400 BC not only for ornamental or narrative purposes but also in order to mark criminals and identify them.

Thomas Edison was reputed to have invented the first tattoo machine in 1876 as an electric engraver but years later it evolved into the machine that would start the new tattooing revolution. From this period onwards tattooing machines started to become more and more advanced. Samuel O' Reilly worked on the original blueprints of Edison in order to create the electric pen which provided advancement in the way tattoos were etched onto the body.

The machine we use today was first patented by Charlie Wagner, which was called a dual coil reciprocating engraver, especially made for tattooing. Circuses also played a big part in the history of tattooing. The modern circus always has a freak show exhibit has always been the heavily tattooed man or woman. This was the introduction of tattooing into 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.

Millennia after the origin of tattoos, they are becoming less taboo and more accepted. A lot of tattooing studios and institutions are opening up and providing services to various individuals.

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