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.

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.

Certain scientists claim that marks on the skin of the Iceman which was discovered mummified and who dated from way back in 3300 BC were tattoos and exist as the earliest evidence that tattoos existed as far back as that period. Tattoos which were more widely recognized have been found on both Egyptian and Nubian mummies from 2000 B.C onwards.

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 OReilly 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 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 1960s which was blamed on tattoos, a lot of states outlawed the practice. Tattooing has become synonymous with rebellion, gangs, dirty sailors, and motorcycles.

Nowadays after centuries following the origin of tattoos, they are becoming less of a taboo subject and more of an accepted art. More and more professional outlets are opening and artists are pushing boundaries with different media in terms of tattoo art.