« Quote About Confidence from Vince Lombardi | Main | Gearing Up For My First Swim Meet in 20 Years »
Friday
Jan222010

History of the Tattoo Machine: How Thomas Edison, Samuel O'Reilly & Percy Waters Led the Way

In 1891, the first electric tattoo machine was invented and patented by tattoo artist, Samuel O’Reilly. He discovered a device called the "Electric Pen" which was invented by Thomas A. Edison in 1876. The Electric Pen was part of a document duplication system used by businesses and used a high-speed reciprocating motor to drive a single needle.

The Electric Pen did not use any ink, rather, perforated holes in a master form, of which then became a stencil. Ink rolled onto its surface and passed through the holes to make copies onto blank sheets placed underneath the stencil.

O'Reilly took this invention, added multiple needles and an ink reservoir, and earned a U.S. patent. This revolutionary device was extremely innovative in opening the door to a whole new generation of growth in the tattoo realm.

In 1929, Percy Waters patented a new design which closely resembles the modern day tattoo machine. His machine included two electromagnetic coils that were set parallel with the frame, a spark shield and an on/off switch.

Waters was a successful tattoo artist in Detroit, Michigan, where he also ran a tattoo supply company for nearly thirty years. He produced classically noted flash sets and tattooed many well-known tattoo collectors during that era.

He was initiated into the Tattoo Hall of Fame on January 15, 1987.

To read much more about tattoo history, beginning with Otzi the Iceman, a five thousand year old tattooed man, who was found in the Otz Valley in the Alps in 1991 and bore 57 tattoos on his skin, check out this article in the Tattoo Corner section of my site.


Reader Comments (7)

A big "thank you" goes out to these 3, Jinxi and to every artist out there, tattoo or not...you all rock!!!

January 22, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterTiger

Here's a site that I think our readers might enjoy. It is called MEET ME AT THE CORNER, Virtual Field Trips for Kids (www.meetmeatthecorner.org)

This series of free educational video pod casts is directed at kids ages 7-12. Each three-minute episode includes links to fun websites, a list of recommended books and a Learning Corner of questions and extended activities about the topic.
New episodes are uploaded every two weeks. On 1/18 there will be an episode about Everyday Physics from the New York Hall of Science. On February 1, there's a show about Thomas Edison filmed at the new Thomas Edison Museum in West Orange New Jersey. And later in February, there is an episode on how to prepare for your school science fair.

January 22, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterDonna Guthrie

oh this is soooo cool....i love learning new things about all aspects of tattooing!!!

January 22, 2010 | Unregistered Commentertammi

Hello Jinxi, what an amazing collection of art you have!

For an in depth article on tattoo machine history please visit my site. I wrote this article several years ago for Tattoodles.com.

At your service,

Paul Roe

January 31, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterPaul Roe

Hello, Punctilious to be sure you! This is a ethical place.
vibram five fingers review.

June 28, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterblolahoff

Wow…iwc replica watches|
Thanks for compiling this and posting it.
Raspekt from Chi-town.

October 22, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterreplica watches

we provide you the best and most fashionable products. All the products are 100% high quality, competitive price, free shipping with best and timely service, 100% satisfaction. Big discount for big order. Welcome to make your choose.Enjoy your shopping!
sex pills factory
sex pills wholesale
buy wholesale
Wholesale Supplier
Sex Pills Supplier
Sex Pills Wholesale Supplier


louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton wallets
louis vuitton purses
louis vuitton sunglasses
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags

louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton wallets
louis vuitton purses
louis vuitton sunglasses
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags


louis vuitton
lv
louis vuitton wallets
louis vuitton purses
louis vuitton sunglasses
louis vuitton shoes
louis vuitton bags
louis vuitton handbags
lv
louis vuitton bags


christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

ugg discount boots
cheap ugg boots
ugg boots cheap
discount uggs boots
ugg cardy boots
discount uggs
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg
ugg boots
ugg shoes
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
uggs
discount uggs
ugg sale
ugg kids
ugg women
cheap ugg


ugg discount boots
cheap ugg boots
ugg boots cheap
discount uggs boots
ugg cardy boots
discount uggs
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg
ugg boots
ugg shoes
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
discount ugg
uggs
discount uggs
ugg sale
ugg kids
ugg women
cheap ugg

ugg discount boots
cheap ugg boots
ugg boots cheap
discount uggs boots
ugg cardy boots
discount uggs
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
discount ugg
discount uggs
ugg sale
ugg kids
ugg women
cheap ugg

ugg discount boots
cheap ugg boots
ugg boots cheap
discount uggs boots
ugg cardy boots
discount uggs
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
discount ugg
discount uggs
ugg sale
ugg kids
ugg women
cheap ugg

ugg discount boots
cheap ugg boots
ugg boots cheap
discount uggs boots
ugg cardy boots
discount uggs
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
discount ugg
discount uggs
ugg sale
ugg kids
ugg women
cheap ugg

ugg discount boots
cheap ugg boots
ugg boots cheap
discount uggs boots
ugg cardy boots
discount uggs
discounted ugg boots
cheap uggs boots
uggs for cheap
ugg tall boots
ugg short boots
ugg boots sale
ugg boots on sale
ugg boots on cheap
ugg discount
discount ugg
discount uggs
ugg sale
ugg kids
ugg women
cheap ugg


christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

christian louboutin
louboutin
christian louboutin shoes
louboutin shoes
bridal shoes
sexy shoes
high heels shoes

November 5, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterlv
Comments are closed for this blog.
Please feel free to send a message to me via the email link on the right hand side of the page. Thanks - Jinxi Boo