TATTOO'D -- Our Fascination With Tattoos...

"Your not getting a tattoo.., you're getting your first tattoo."

The Tattoo Obsession

Boy.., have times changed…

Gone are the days of hiding that recently inked forearm, wrist or ankle from your parents -- these days your parents probably have a few tats themselves. From socially unacceptable to mainstream, baby… Tattoos are everywhere, if you don't have one (or many), you know someone who does… Once considered and perceived as self-destructive and designated for bikers, sailors, convicts, the military and even peace loving hippies.., to now -- 1 in 5 adults in America cop to having some ink and 32% claim to be addicted to getting tattoos (although the jury is still out on that…).

In The Beginning

Tattoos have been around for a long time -- a really long time, and were used for many different reasons.., and none of them had anything to do with being trendy. The pain from a tattoo was much, much greater than today -- many times the design was cut into the skin and than some kind of ink (coloring) poured in…

They even found tattoos on the "Iceman" that was discovered in the early 1990's that dated back 5,300 years. In this case, it seems most of his tattoos were lined up with acupuncture points -- so they could have been for medicinal reasons. But there are many reasons people have been marking (decorating) their skin for so many years…

From tribal markings to your social standing in the tribe… Women who were married had certain tattoos, girls coming of age had a certain tattoo -- rituals and rites of passage, were told through getting inked. Being tattooed allowed passage into the spirit world after you died… From ancient Egypt 12,000 BC people were already getting inked.., and by 2000 BC tattooing spread to China -- and it has been practiced by people, since.

Time Goes On...

It is quite obvious that tattoos originated for specific reasons -- very meaningful reasons. And were a sign of great respect, in many cases. But somewhere along the line tattoos took on a more unsavory connotation… With the invention of the first electric tattooing machine in 1891 by Samuel O'Reilly (based on Thomas Edisons design), it became slightly less painful and more affordable, meaning just about anybody could get one -- which turned the upper class started to shun the tattoo. They started to be relegated to a lower class type of person when heavily tattooed people started showing up in the circus as a "freak-show" attraction.

But even as time went on, tattoos found there place among the less desirable -- but still had meaning… Sailors would get a chicken on one foot and a pig on the other to protect them from death. Later on in WWII sailors would get twin propellers tattooed on each of their butt cheeks to protect them from drowning… And it was in Chatham Square in New York City where more modern tattoos and larger tattoos started to appear on gang members and the under-belly of society.

Even though tattoos were losing their cache in much of the world.., in Chatham Square they were booming -- women were tattooed by their husbands and used as a sort of walking billboard, advertising his craft. As the sailors often got inked-up when they went to the barber on the Bowery in NYC with one of the more popular tats of the time: the Holdfast, Anchors, Nautical Stars and Swallows -- pretty much all having to do with getting back from the war in one piece.

Art For Arts Sake…

It wasn't until the 1960's that tattoos became popular for art.., and art alone. Unfortunately, it was in the 1960's that a hepatitis outbreak forced New York City to enforce a strict health code and the tattoo shops in Times Square were shuttered -- making it almost impossible to get a tattoo in NYC. So not only did tattoos have a horrible reputation -- they were now illegal. But by the end of the same decade, a man named Lyle Tuttle would have something to say about that… By focusing on the art form.., and some well placed media coverage -- he started tattooing celebrities, many f which were women -- the tattoo artist was starting to gain some respect.

The 1970's brought more innovations to the tattoo gun and the pigments (more colors)… This allowed for more elaborate, intricate designs -- the tattoo parlors started to clean themselves up.., and even started to resemble medical clinics (to keep the authorities off their back).

And Today…

Today getting a tattoo is commonplace -- even multiple tattoos. From celebrities (David Beckham has over 30 tattoos) to the middle class suburban housewife, people are getting inked up like there is no tomorrow… While some of the meaning seems to have waned, people still want to feel.., the need for uniqueness. This historically daring gesture, is now just another Friday night and trip to your favorite tattoo artist, for your next piece -- heck, why not.., you already have one, what one more…

The tattoo business has grown to heights that sailors and bikers could have never imagined.., and so have the prices (they can be costly). With more and more people getting full sleeves or whole back and chest tats. And we have all seem Mike Tysons face (the face tattoo). Tattoo artists themselves are now celebrities, in their own rite, commanding top dollar for the elaborate skin ink you will hopefully be happy with (cause getting them removed is no fun) for life.

With ties back to our earliest ancestors tattoos have had a resurgence unlike, anything else… And it is the 6th fast growing retail business, with a never ending supply of customers that are searching for their unique style... To mark a special moment in time. That euphoric, yet tranquil experience.., and that stamp that says -- This is who I am…


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