How did people get tattoos before the internet?

[Graeme]

Don't tell me that people walked into a shop or picked up a phone, talked to a human being, looked through a portfolio and then made up his or her mind and booked something (or not), because that's obviously crazy.

[Mark Bee]

Tattoos were invented sometime in the early 2000s. 2003 I think. There was no tattooing prior to that.

[bongsau]

it's not even scary anymore! tattoos for all!

[marley mission]

its a well known fact that al gore performed the first tattoo...only just a short time ago

edit: well - at least thats what i read on the internet

[polliwog]

Maybe they called their moms when they were scared?

[kelzu]

Don't tell me that people walked into a shop or picked up a phone, talked to a human being, looked through a portfolio and then made up his or her mind and booked something (or not), because that's obviously crazy.

I actually tried that recently, asked if I could come take a look at a portfolio, and was informed to just look at the artist's website. (Which I had already done, of course). There's something different and special about looking at a real portfolio and seeing someone in person. It's not just clients that have changed.

I know everyone is different, and each to their own.

[Graeme]

@kelzu That bums me out! It would depend on circumstance, obviously, but I would probably not want to get tattooed at a place that did that.

[kelzu]

@Graeme, it bummed me out too. I heard such great things and felt kinda sad to miss out, but it made me not want to pursue getting tattooed there.

Edited to add: it lead me to find another tattooer whose work I love, so it all worked out

[MGblues]

@Graeme Your thread made me laugh and feel a little nostalgic at the same time.

You see, I'm rapidly approaching my 49th birthday. February 13th (which also falls on a Friday the 13th for the first time in ages! WOOHOO!) will mark the 30th year since I got my first tattoo. The tattoo shop was inside of a biker bar in Waynesville, N.C. It was named J.B's Tattoo & Tavern.

You could get anything you wanted... As long as you picked it from the flash on the wall.

He used an acetate stencil, graphite powder and Speedstick deodorant to transfer the design, and I remember very clearly that he didn't use gloves (this was 1985 after all).

I've been hooked ever since, and that tattoo is still there. There's also an appointment already scheduled to mark this little milestone.

[CABS]

Don't tell me that people walked into a shop or picked up a phone, talked to a human being, looked through a portfolio and then made up his or her mind and booked something (or not), because that's obviously crazy.

The crazy thing is how people traveled to get tattooed w/o the Internet. Big yellow phone books, handwritten correspondence, etc. Rubendall getting tattooed by Leu immediately comes to mind.

[KBeee]

Ha! I remember the first step in clearing a shop (for friends or what not) use to be the smell. Perfection Tattoo had a certain smell (looking back, I think it may have been Green Soap?) and if a shop did not have that certain smell I would tell my friends "Noooo WAAAY! Don't go there" :p ...But really, there is a "good tattoo shop" version of the hospital smell and it indicates rightness. I don't know how to explain it...anyone?

Also, I remember the good old days of xeroxing reference material at the university libraries to take with me to my consultation. Two copies...one for my folder and one for the tattooer's :D

[purplelace]

@MGblues have fun on your tattoo anniversary. I'm going to ask my tattooists every time I'm in from April, when will they have January ready. Next year will be my 40th, and already have a tattoo planned, want to get it done on my birthday, if possible.

@KBeee ah! If only I had thought of photocopying. I painstakingly copy drew out the designs, I wanted for reference. Mind you I still doodle out designs, to give my tattooist an idea of what is in my head.

[Ducky15568]

How did people do anything before the internet? Internet is love, internet is life.

[purplelace]

@Ducky15568 So you're an Internet junkie then? Lol The Internet I could do without. It's good to go "off grid" sometimes.

[Ducky15568]

@purplelace Nah, that was just my attempt at satire. ;) The outdoors are my favorite and it's extremely easy to get off the grid where i'm from.

[purplelace]

@Ducky15568 Ah ok, dunno if that was lost on me due to text or cause of the hour! Lol nearing 4am here. Not an outddoors type as in camping, my idea of camping is staying in a hotel :p But I live in the sticks lol

[Paulus]

I think the internet is responsible for the proliferation of many things in modern life. Some are very good and some are unspeakable.

What it does do is give the impression that something is more common in society than it really is. LST is a fine example of an online community where people share and enjoy their love of tattoos. Within this forum it's possible to be surrounded by beautiful imagery and be inspired to become more involved.

I discovered LST after a google search. It was around the time I got my single and very discrete tattoo. I wanted to know more about getting something bigger.

I'm really glad I did. It stopped me going and getting some crappy thing off the highstreet or on holiday.

I also now realise that I want something awesome and head turning. Something that can't be rushed.

So the internet surely does help promote quality tattoos. It can be an inspiration.

[Colored Guy]

Tattoos were only available in boxes of Cracker Jacks, lick 'em and stick 'em. The cool people always had theirs on straight.

I'd get my mom to buy one of those multiple packs and save up the tattoos so I could put them on all at once.

[SStu]

Helter Skelter!