Body art has been with mankind for centuries. It's thought that tattooing began as far back as 6000 years ago. Although this is an interesting fact, of more concern to anyone considering a tattoo today is the emergence of New School tattooing. Just what is new school tattooing and how is it different than the old style of tattooing? Before we can understand new school tattooing, we first must define what old style tattooing is.
As mentioned earlier, body art began a long time ago, however the tools and methods used for inking were primitive. Modern tattooing did not emerge from the dark ages until the early part of the 20th century. Once good ole Tom Edison invented the electric engraving machine the birth of modern tattooing got underway. During the early 1900's traveling Circus entertainers began tattooing their bodies to create the circus freak show attraction known as the tattooed man. This was the first introduction of tattooing to large groups of civilized people. As time went on body art became accepted by sailors, outlaws, criminals, and others considered as patrons of the low side of life.
