The History of Tattoo Machines

A tattoo machine is used to permanently mark the skin with ink, usually with a well-designed drawing or piece of artwork. Modern tattoo machines contain several parts that can be removed and sterilized: tattoo needles in bundles of various sizes, tubes which hold the needles, and grips for the tattoo artist.

First Tattoo Machine

Samuel O'Reilly invented the first electric tattoo machine in 1891 when he modified an engraving pen invented by Thomas Edison. This early machine worked by using rotary technology.

Electromagnet Tattoo Machines

Twenty days after O'Reilly patented his machine, Thomas Riley of London filed a patent for a single coil tattoo machine that worked with the use of electromagnets.

Two-Coil Tattoo Machines

In 1899, Alfred Charles Smith invented the modern two-coil electromagnet tattoo machine.

Enhanced Precision

Over the next 200 years, the tattoo machine retained its basic design, but greater artistic precision was reached with the increasing ability to control speed, needle depth, and force of application.

Pneumatic Tattoo Machines

In 2000, tattooist Carson Hill invented the revolutionary pneumatic machine (Neuma Tattoo Machine), which operates smoothly by way of air rather than electromagnets or rotary technology.

References

• Wild West Tattooz---Tattoo Machine History
• Tattooique---Tattoo Machines
• Pneumatic Tattoo Machine History

Resources

• Nation Master---Tattoo Guns