The Black Book of Tattooing

Tattooing the skin is the second oldest profession in the world...we all know the first, I digress. The Japanese, Aztecs, Mayans, Aborigines, and the Africans all tattooed. The oldest human to date is referred to as the 'Iceman', he was found under what was left of an iceberg near the Austrian border in Italy. Carbon-dating places the man around 5,300 years old. This was a cultural surprise because he had few tattoos. Before his discovery, it was a popular belief that the oldest culture to tattoo was the Egyptians just over 3000 years ago. The 'Iceman' outdates the Egyptians by 2,300 years. The tattoo machine we all love and know today is nothing more than a modified version of the first electric engraver. In the US we first started seeing tattoos regularly on sailors that had been to distant lands. Read on and not only learn the history of the art, but also acquire the hands-on technical skills to take you to the next level - a master of the Art. Delve in and learn from one of the Greats.