Tattooing is one of the most historical forms of expression known to man. Before the use of electricity tattoos were performed in several different ways using a hand-tapping method. The oldest instruments used for permanent body markings date back to 10,000 BC and consisted of a disk made of clay and red ochre together with sharp bone needles that were inserted into holes in top of the disk. The disk was used as an ink well while the sharpened bone pierced the skin.



    Other cultures throughout time used the method of piercing skin with a sharp object until blood rose to the surface and then rubbed ink into the fresh wounds with their hands. Many tribes throughout the globe still use this method today as a right of passage into adulthood, social standing, connections to nature & animals, as well as symbols of life, death and consummated marriages.



    The art of tattooing has advanced greatly from the original electric pen developed by Thomas Edison who designed the machine to use as a perforating device in 1875. Samuel O'Reily based the technology of his rotary tattoo machine off of Edison's electric pen and patented the machine in 1891. The tattoo machines of today have had little changes since then, though sanitation and artwork have improved greatly.



    Traditional practices of hand tapping have been gaining more noriety in western culture in the past decade with tattoo enthusiasts being increasingly curious of how our modified ancestors started the very practice of individualism.





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