evolution of tattoos

  • 3700 BCE

    otzi the iceman

    otzi the iceman
    Otiz the Iceman was founded in 1991. he is the oldest evident of human tattooing. he had a total of 61 tattoos
  • 3000 BCE

    ancient Egyptian & chinese

    ancient Egyptian & chinese
    • Ancient Egyptian women tattoed only tattoed other women. This was a representation of fertility and rejuvenation. -the Chinese tattooed as a way to mark criminals and thefts to tell others not to trust them.
  • 500

    soma

    soma
    -tattoos are a part of the Samoan cultural traditions.
    -the tradition of giving and receiving tattoos by hand has been going on for thousands of years
    - the English word "tattoo" may have originated from the Samoan word tatau
  • the invention of the tattoo gun

    Samuel O'Reilly's tattoo career remains a mystery. He is believed to have worked under this older man that went by the name 'Old Martin" he opened his tattoo shop in new york. Later in his career, he invents the modern tattoo machine. This was patented on December 8, 1891.
  • beginning of the 20th century

    beginning of the 20th century
    -In 1910, most people with tattoos were circus performers or sailors. Sailors used these tattoos as identification if sailors fell overbored.
    -In the 1920s, cosmetic makeup became very popular among women because makeup was too expensive to buy.
    -In the 1930s, social security tattoos became a thing. People were told to memorize their numbers, and they began to tattoo these numbers on their bodies.
  • the 20th century

    -In the 1940s, 'Sailor Jerry' tattoos became iconic, created by Norman Keith Collins. Around this time, you see a shift in the acceptance of tattoos.
    - though out time, tattoos became a reflection of masculinity, especially among "bad boys."
    -tattoo shops were reportedly the cause of hepatitis