Questions & Answers
Browse all 25 questions from the
Milestones in Tattoo History study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
In what year was the first electric tattoo machine, based on Thomas Edison's autographic printer, patented by Samuel O'Reilly?
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A
1888
-
B
1891
-
C
1895
-
D
1902
2
Ötzi the Iceman, discovered in 1991, features how many distinct groups of tattoo marks on his body?
3
Who is credited with opening the first professional tattoo shop in New York City in 1870?
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A
Martin Hildebrandt
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B
Samuel O'Reilly
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C
Charlie Wagner
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D
Percy Waters
4
In which century did the Japanese government officially ban tattooing as part of the Meiji Restoration, a law that remained until 1948?
-
A
17th
-
B
18th
-
C
19th
-
D
20th
5
How many needles are typically used in a standard 'magnum' tattoo needle configuration?
-
A
1 to 3
-
B
5 to 13
-
C
20 to 30
-
D
50 to 100
6
The oldest known evidence of tattooing, dating back to approximately 3370–3100 BCE, was found on a mummy from which culture?
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A
Ancient Egyptian
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B
Chinchorro
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C
Ancient Nubian
-
D
Egyptian-Sudanese
7
In 1970, which famous tattoo artist published the influential book 'Tattooing A to Z'?
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A
Ed Hardy
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B
Sailor Jerry Collins
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C
Cliff Raven
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D
Lyle Tuttle
8
What number of tattoos did the 'Great Omi' (Horace Ridler), a famous tattooed sideshow performer, claim to have covering his body?
-
A
Over 100
-
B
Over 500
-
C
Over 1,000
-
D
Over 150
9
Which US state finally legalized tattooing in 2006, ending a long-standing total ban?
-
A
South Carolina
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B
Massachusetts
-
C
Oklahoma
-
D
Arkansas
10
The word 'tattoo' was introduced into the English language by Captain James Cook following his 1769 voyage to which location?
-
A
Tahiti
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B
Hawaii
-
C
New Zealand
-
D
Fiji
11
How many ink-filled containers were found in the 1991 grave of a woman from the Pazyryk culture, providing early evidence of tattoo tools?
12
In 1933, which tattoo artist became the first to use an autoclave for sterilizing needles in his shop?
-
A
Herbert Hoffmann
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B
Percy Waters
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C
Milton Zeis
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D
George Burchett
13
During the 19th century, how much would a high-society client typically pay 'Professor' George Burchett for a complex tattoo session?
-
A
5 shillings
-
B
1 pound
-
C
5 to 10 guineas
-
D
100 pounds
14
Which famous tattooist was known as the 'King of Tattooists' and claimed to have tattooed King George V?
-
A
George Burchett
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B
Samuel O'Reilly
-
C
Charlie Wagner
-
D
Ben Corday
15
The first color-changing tattoo ink, which reacts to pH levels, was developed by researchers at which institution in 2017?
-
A
MIT
-
B
Harvard
-
C
Oxford
-
D
Stanford
16
Approximately what percentage of the US population aged 18-29 was estimated to have at least one tattoo in the 2010 Pew Research study?
17
Which specific ink pigment, often used for red tattoos, is most frequently associated with allergic reactions in dermatological studies?
-
A
Carbon Black
-
B
Titanium Dioxide
-
C
Mercuric Sulfide
-
D
Iron Oxide
18
In 1904, Charlie Wagner received a patent for what specific tattoo-related invention?
-
A
Tattoo stencil paper
-
B
Electric tattoo machine
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C
Tattoo ink mixer
-
D
Tattoo needle holder
19
How many years did Sailor Jerry (Norman Collins) serve in the US Navy before opening his famous shop in Honolulu?
-
A
5 years
-
B
10 years
-
C
15 years
-
D
20 years
20
The 'Tattooing and Body Piercing Act' of 2002 was implemented in which country to set strict health standards?
-
A
United Kingdom
-
B
Australia
-
C
Canada
-
D
Germany
21
Which tattoo artist, active in the 1950s, is widely credited with inventing the 'tattoo flash' sheet format still used today?
-
A
Sailor Jerry
-
B
Doc Webb
-
C
Paul Rogers
-
D
Owen Jensen
22
How deep, in millimeters, does a tattoo needle typically penetrate the epidermis into the dermis?
-
A
0.5 to 1.5 mm
-
B
2.0 to 3.0 mm
-
C
4.0 to 5.0 mm
-
D
0.1 to 0.2 mm
23
In 1996, the first professional tattoo association, the APT, was formed in which country?
-
A
USA
-
B
Japan
-
C
France
-
D
Netherlands
24
The 'Maori' people of New Zealand traditionally used what tool to create the 'Moko' facial tattoos?
-
A
Bone chisels
-
B
Metal needles
-
C
Obsidian shards
-
D
Copper pins
25
Which pigment is the primary component used in 'Carbon Black' tattoo ink?
-
A
Graphite
-
B
Soot
-
C
Iron
-
D
Lead
