Mar 19 , 2024
Tattoo Machine History
Tattoo Machine History
Tattoo machines are small handheld devices that use a needle bar to create an up and down motion that injects dye into the skin.tattoo machine history The needles are bundled together in various patterns on what is called a needle bar and each has its own separate tube that holds the ink that’s delivered by the machine. When the tattooist depresses a foot pedal on the floor beside his workstation the needle bar is activated and plunges down to puncture the skin and deposit the ink about 3,000 times a minute. The machine’s design is the result of many years of trial and error, and while no one person can claim to have single-handedly invented it all it’s safe to say that the modern tattoo machine was influenced by a wide range of previous inventions that had been adapted for use as tattooing tools.
The first tattoo machine was actually a stencil machine created by Thomas Edison in 1876 as part of an engraving contraption for businesses.tattoo machine history It was later reinvented by Samuel O’Reilly who added multiple needles to it and listed it as a U.S patent holder in 1891. O’Reilly also made some other tweaks to the original Edison machine that were more practical for tattooing, such as a redesigned needle tube and an ink reservoir.
It’s not known exactly when tattoo machines began to become popular but it’s likely that the introduction of mail order catalogs in the late 1800s played a role.tattoo machine history These retailers were responsible for bringing affordable technology into the homes of people who previously would have had to go to large city markets to find what they wanted. Several different types of electromagnetically operated tattoo machines were developed, and all were influenced by earlier Edison designs as well as other existing electrical technologies such as telegraph and rotary devices.
Dual coil tattoo machines are the most common and most widely used type of machine in the industry today. These devices rely on an electromagnetic current passing through two coils to function and once the current is broken the armature bar holding the needle(s) is lifted up by a spring, allowing the tattoo artist to draw. As the needle(s) are pushed down into the client’s skin the tattooist is able to create the desired lines and shading using a variety of techniques.
Percy Waters of Detroit is often credited as the inventor of the modern tattoo machine but it’s not entirely accurate to do so. He was the first person to gain a patent for a machine that worked in the same way as Edison’s engraving device but had some significant improvements such as a touch switch and spark protection. He was also a successful tattooist who operated his own tattoo supply business for several decades.