Although tattooing has enjoyed quite a recent revival, the art of putting ink to body is an ancient tradition. In over 4000 years, tattooing has slipped in and out of style but never totally disappeared. During some time periods, only church leaders or royal family members were allowed tattoos. At other times, tattoos became symbols of social deviance and a way of artistically flipping the bird at those who considered such practices to be crass.
In the United States, tattooing became popular during the Civil War. In 1846, Martin Hildenbrandt, a German immigrant, opened a tattoo shop in Boston, establishing himself as the first professional tattooist in the New World.
Hildebrandt crossed back and forth between the Grant/Lee battle lines to do body art for soldiers of the Union and the Confederacy. “He could tattoo the emblems of both sides and did a roaring trade,” noted George Burchett in his 1958 “Memoirs of a Tattooist.” Needless to say, Hildebrandt was one of the few individuals able to cross battle lines with little to no grief.
Tattoos have continued to be popular with military members. Many sailors returned from duty especially following World War II sporting body art. Most dock cities had tattoo parlours which catered to military members who often had “Lady Luck,” the American Eagle or some art piece reflecting their branch or unit etched on a shoulder or forearm.
Since dock areas and portions of town often frequented by military members on leave tend to appeal to a rather randy crowd and often a high percentage of social deviants and criminals, tattoos became associated with the criminal community. Carnival workers also found body art appealing, so that further made tattooing a social taboo in more conservative circles for a period of time.
The recent upsurge in tattooing kicked off in the 1960s with bikers, swingers, and flower children and is enjoying a rebirth currently especially with the college crowd, professional athletes, and in the African-American community. Current estimates are that one in seven individuals or about 43 million North Americans have one or more tattoos, and the numbers of continuing to grow.
Today, many stars from various high profile fields sport tattoos. Drew Barrymore, Kelly Osbourne (and dad Ozzy), Johnny Depp, Eminem, Pamela Anderson, Cher, Roseanne Barr, Dennis Rodman, Allen Iverson, and Julius Peppers are all inked to various degrees.