Tattoo History

Tony Malo: Tattooist, Musician, and Artist

Tony Malo, also known as Toni Malo, was a man driven by creativity and passion. His wide-ranging interests took him from tattooing to music, and from running curiosity shops to exploring different artistic avenues....

Tattoo Removal Methods Used by Tattooists in the Late 1800s and Early 20th Century

Tattoos have been part of human history for thousands of years, used for personal expression, spiritual meaning, or as a form of punishment. Historical records, such as...

Was the Horograph the First Clockwork Tattoo Machine?

Could a Victorian stencil-making tool have inspired the modern tattoo machine? The Horograph, designed by Newton Wilson & Co. 144 High Holborn, London, wasn’t made for tattooing—but its spring-powered,...

The Life, Legacy, and Mysteries of Prince Giolo: The Painted Prince of Southeast Asia

The story of Prince Giolo (Jeoly) intertwines intrigue, tragedy, and exploitation, serving as a vivid reflection of the colonial era's fascination with the exotic and...

Redditch Needles: The Hidden Backbone of Tattoo History

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine stepping into the shadowy world of the late 1800s. The hum of early electric tattoo machines vibrates in the dim light, mingling with the faint smell of ink...

A Golden Age of Tattoo Transfers

By the early 1900s, a wave of British tattoo artists had embraced the electric tattooing revolution with fervor. The commercial benefits were undeniable: quicker tattooing sessions meant more clients and increased profits....

A Sign of Respect: The Importance of Calling It a Tattoo Machine

Calling a tattoo machine a "gun" may seem like a minor detail, but it carries deeper implications and can be disrespectful to professional tattooists and their craft. When you use the term...

You Want to Know the True Story Behind Bug Pin Tattoo Needles?

You might think you know, but the real origin is surprising. Bug pin tattoo needles, essential for fine-line work, actually started as tools for pinning insects. Before their rise, tattoo...

The secret aroma of the tattoo studio
Uncovering the Mystery Behind the Strange Aroma in Tattoo Studios of the 1970s

It was 1972 when I encountered that strange aroma outside a tattoo studio door that got stronger inside the studio. What gave the tattooist...

From Vintage Stencils to Thermal Transfers

100 Years of tattoo transfer paper making.

Edwardian tattoo supply companies, such as Charles Burchett Davis, amongst others, sold tattoo kits along with hectographic tattoo transfer paper to place an outline...

Tattoo Needles Explained  Why do Tattooists use 12 Sharps

Needles for tattooing formed from bone, bronze and iron have been used through the ages. This changed with the introduction of the carbon sewing needle. Steel needles made by the local blacksmith...

Photo Circa early 1960's

Terry Wrigley

Tattoo artist, magazine editor, writer and President of the National Tattoo Club Terry Wrigley was born at Mossley, Manchester, England, on February 25th 1937, and before him, there were no other members of his...