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.

Some scientists say that certain marks on the skin of the Iceman which is a mummified human body from way back in 3300 BC indicate that maybe the earliest evidence of tattoos existed then. More widely recognized are tattoos found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from about 2000 B.C.

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.

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 current machine which is popular was invented and patented by Charlie Wagner and it is a dual coil reciprocating engraver which was especially made for tattooing. Circuses also played a role in the history of tattoos as well. Modern circuses always have one show or the other where a man or woman covered in tattoos is on display. This is part of the history of tattooing in America.

Pope Hadrian banned tattoos as far back as 787 AD and for that reason there has always been one controversy or the other as far as tattoos are concerned. Because of an outbreak of Hepatitis in the 1960's which was blamed on tattoos, a lot of states outlawed the practice. Tattooing has become synonymous with rebellion, gangs, dirty sailors, and motorcycles.

Today, centuries after the origination of tattoos they are becoming less taboo and more accepted as cleaner, more professional shops open up and the artistic boundaries are pushed with the medium of tattoo art. Also, the advances in color and other tattoo equipment have made tattoos more than just a symbol or a testimony, but a real piece of art on skin.