Samuel O'Reilly
Samuel F. O'Reilly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | May 1854 Waterbury, Connecticut, US |
| Died | April 29, 1909 (aged 54) |
| Occupation | Tattoo artist |
| Known for | Invented the rotary tattoo machine |
Samuel F. O’Reilly (May 1854 - 29 April 1909) was an American tattoo artist from New York, who patented the first electric tattoo machine on December 8, 1891.[1][2]
Biography[]
O’Reilly was born in Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut to Irish immigrants Thomas O’Reilly and Mary Ann Hurley in May 1854.[3]
He began tattooing in New York around the mid-1880s.[4] O'Reilly's machine was based on the rotary technology of Thomas Edison's autographic printing pen.[5] Although O'Reilly held the first patent for an electric tattoo machine, tattoo artists had been experimenting with and modifying a variety of different machines prior to the issuance of the patent. O'Reilly's first pre-patent tattoo machine was a modified dental plugger, which he used to tattoo several dime museum attractions for exhibition between the years 1889 and 1891.[6] From the late 1880s on, tattoo machines continually evolved into the modern tattoo machine.[7] O'Reilly first owned a shop at #5 Chatham Square on the New York Bowery. In 1904, he moved to #11 Chatham Square when the previous tenant, tattoo artist Elmer Getchell, left the city.[8] Charles Wagner was allegedly apprenticed to O'Reilly and later assumed ownership of his #11 Chatham Square shop.[9]
On April 29, 1909, Samuel O'Reilly fell while painting his house and died.[10] He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.[11]
In popular culture[]
 | This article appears to contain trivial, minor, or unrelated references to popular culture. (September 2018) |
Samuel O'Reilly was featured in the Mysteries at the Museum episode "Edison's Electric Pen, Vanishing Carroll Deering, Lizard Man" which aired on August 15, 2013.[12]
References[]
- ^ "Tattoo Machine | Everything You Need To Know (Updated)". Maestro Tattoo. Retrieved 2021-07-05.
- ^ "Samuel F. O'Reilly". Buzzworthy Tattoo History. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
- ^ "Samuel F. O'Reilly". Buzzworthy Tattoo History (in Spanish). Retrieved 2015-10-21.
- ^ "Samuel F. O'Reilly". Buzzworthy Tattoo History. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
- ^ "Starlight Tattoo: Tattoo History". Archived from the original on 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
- ^ "Early Tinkerers of Electric Tattooing". Buzzworthy Tattoo History. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
- ^ "Early Tinkerers of Electric Tattooing". Buzzworthy Tattoo History. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
- ^ "Early Tinkerers of Electric Tattooing". Buzzworthy Tattoo History. Retrieved 2015-10-21.
- ^ Vanishing Tattoo – history
- ^ Tattoo Archive
- ^ Irish America
- ^ "Edison's Electric Pen, Vanishing Carroll Deering, Lizard Man". Travel Channel. Retrieved 2018-12-12.
 | This article about an American inventor is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by . |
- 19th-century American inventors
- People from Waterbury, Connecticut
- American tattoo artists
- 1908 deaths
- 1854 births
- American people of Irish descent
- Deaths from falls
- Accidental deaths in New York (state)
- Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn
- American inventor stubs