Posts Tagged ‘History’
Did you know that the first temporary tattoos were found in bubble gum?
Though it is difficult to determine when the first temporary tattoo was printed, it is thought that they have been designed and manufactured since the turn of the 20th century. They were first used as prizes in bubble gum and later, in 1890, and the well into the 1900s, temporary tattoos were created and included in boxes of Cracker Jacks® snacks. These temporary tattoos were transferred from paper to the skin with the use of water. Cracker Jack® amazingly still includes the same style temporary tattoos as one of their “prize in every box” giveaways today.
Unfortunately, tattoos of the early 20th century were of poor quality and came off as soon as they were rubbed or got wet. My, have tattoos evolved! But before we get to the quality temporary tattoos that are available today, we have a few more decades to weed through.
Temporary tattoos as giveaways in conjunction with snacks or other toys remained the cornerstone of temporary tattoos usage for decades. In addition to snacks, television programs, sports teams and cartoon characters started to use temporary tattoos as promotional tools. For example, not only did sports card packs include chewing gum, beginning in the 1970s, many included temporary tattoos which are considered collectors items today. Smurfs, PeeWee’s Playhouse and the Bionic Woman were also card packs that included temporary tattoos, intended as a means to promote their television programs.
In 1980, temporary tattoos were created using different and exotic ink systems. 3M designed and developed a special coating called Micro-Fragrance® that made scratch-n-sniff technology possible. The temporary tattoo industry adopted the scratch-n-sniff concept and a few companies released scented tattoos.
Around this time advances in ink and screen printing were also developed. These advances made the tattoos last longer and look more realistic. As tattoos quality increased, so did demand. People began seeing temporary tattoos as a product that could last and could be used outside of inexpensive giveaways.
Enter the era of universal demand and consumption. Today, temporary tattoos are sold everywhere from vending machines to check-out counters at mass retailers to high-end boutiques. A tattoo exists for every demographic; Marvel superhero tattoos for young boys, glitter designs for girls, Ed Hardy temporary tattoos for trendy adults and clubbing designs for young people. Temporary tattoos have become a healthy activity for children and a must-have accessory for adults.
From bubble gum prizes to high-end accessory pieces, temporary tattoos have a diverse and rich history. They’re here to stay, that goes without saying. The question is, what will we see next?
Amber Golden serves as public relations specialist for Tattoo Manufacturing, the largest manufacturer of temporary tattoos in the world. Tattoo Manufacturing, located in Tucson, AZ, produces more than 6 million temporary tattoos a day. All of the company’s products are Made in the USA and only FDA certified colorants are used.
Spend a few minutes surfing the net for information on Chinese tattoos and you will quickly notice a recurring theme warning the would be tattoo recipient to ensure they know someone reliable who can accurately translate the meaning before they just go ahead a slap one on. There is even an entire blog dedicated to the misuse of these characters. Makes you wonder about all the times you wondered into a tattoo artist’s workshop and flipped through the hundreds of Chinese tattoos available looking for that perfect one which symbolized your life on this planet.
Anyone who has ever thought of getting a tattoo has considered the option of a Chinese tattoo or for that matter a Korean or Japanese tattoo. Their mystery, sleek design and hidden meanings draw on our curiosity like moths to a flame. We picture friends and strangers asking with keen interest about our decision behind such a choice, which may even lead some people to create elaborate stories about their own life.
There is an endless mythical history in Asian cultures, it’s no wonder Westerners are drawn to these types of tattoos, Chinese designs being the most popular and sort after around the world. Part of the interest, one would guess, is how unique each character seems and so the chances of someone else having the same one is unlikely. The fact that they also look cool doesn’t hurt either.
Making the perfect, meaningful choice
Chinese tattoos are available in many different designs because the language is made up of thousands of characters rather than the few letters in the English alphabet. It may not be necessary to say it but if you choose to get a permanent tattoo, Chinese or not, it is exactly that, permanent. It is certainly not a decision to be taken lightly or one you should be making impulsively.
If it is a story you are looking for then take the time to talk with a friend who knows some Asian history and who understands the culture and language. It would be in your best interest before getting your Chinese tattoo, to do as much research as possible. Imagine the sheer horror of having a Chinese symbol tattooed on your arm or the small of your back only to find out it has some perverse or trivial meaning when you thought it actually meant something along the lines of love, peace or hope.
One of the ways to avoid this could be to decide on a word or phrase or even your name you would like to get a Chinese tattoo of and get it translated into characters or symbols. This will ensure accuracy and of course uniqueness.
The Chinese culture has evolved over thousands and thousands of years and such deserves the respect of a little forethought when considering a Chinese tattoo rather than a decision based on whether your favorite celebrity has one or not.
Discover the history and mystery behind Chinese Tattoos, including a gallery of hundreds of examples at Tattoo Fascination