The history of tattoos begins some 5000 years ago and continues right on up to "Miami Ink" on The Learning Channel (TLC) and "Inked" on Arts & Entertainment (A&E)!

The first tattoos probably were created by accident. Someone had a small wound and rubbed it with a hand dirty with a fire's soot and ashes. Once the wound had healed and the mark was visibly permanent, an industry was born!

The historical record is brief, but does include:

Bronze Age
Pazyryk Culture
Egypt
Japan
China
Polynesia
New Zealand
Indonesia
India
Thailand
Africa
Ancient Greece & Rome
The Celts
Central & South America
North America
Middle East
Vikings
England
France

Stereotypes:

Sailor
Criminality
Circus
Tattoo Flash