Edison contributed to the popularization of tattoo
Edison’s electric pen unintentionally helped much in tattooing
Inventions are not always used as it was intended to be just like Einsteins nuclear fissure formula which created the atomic bomb. Edison has many inventions showed in unexpected uses and the electric pen is one of it. The pen was developed to Tattoo pen and took a substantial part of tattoo history.
The Confucian culture halted Koreans to make alterations in body which suppressed tattooing but in many other countries tattoo was developed as a culture.
Tattoo dates back to the Stone Age. At Otz Valley of Alps a frozen corpse had some tattoo at its side ankle and popliteal. The body is estimated to be of a person lived about 4 thousand years ago. Experts regards that the tattoo was drawn in medical purposes under superstitious beliefs. Another body aged about 2 thousand years with tattoo was found in southern Siberia and the tattoo was drawn under religious reasons.
The Maori and Japanese Edo age tattoo have been passed down until today and the whole tattoo culture have been developed into a new way of self-expression. It is considered as a fashion except for some cultural area.
Edison’s invention made tattooing a much easier process. Though he may not be easily related with tattoo his ‘Stencil-Pen’ patent (US196747A) lead the popularization of tattoo. The invention was intended to help office workers like merchants lawyers and insurance agents who issues the same documents with its rotating nib.
First it was sold in banks and insurance companies and it seemed to expand its sales. However the sales showed rapid decrease due to difficulties in management of wet batteries until an unexpected order was made. Samuel F. O’reilly a tattooist made a large purchase.
He made innovation by changing the nib into needle. The worktime was drastically reduced and the process became more exquisite. He registered his tattoo pen patent (US464801A) in 1891 and was recorded as one of the greatest innovators in tattoo industry.
After the innovation in speed was made tattooist Sailor Jerry invented the first disposable tattoo needle and autoclave was introduced to innovate hygiene in tattoo industry.
The electric pen derived great innovation in the tattoo industry. The case will be an exemplary as unintended inventions that made great changes.
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