Rugged Handmade in the USA Tattoo Machine Samuel O'Reilly was a successful New York tattoo artist and the inventor of the modern rotary tattoo machine, which he patented in 1891. He began tattooing in New York around 1875. O'Reilly's machine was based on the rotary technology Thomas Edison's autographic printing pen. It was the first tattooing device which ran off of electricity. Tattoo machines have had very few changes since then. I am the great-grandson of the late Samuel O'Reilly, with over 10 years of experience in the tattoo industry. I am a retired military officer that takes pride in hand-making each machine. Each machine is made here in the United States of America, with American steel and parts. If you're looking for a inexpensive, factory made, Non-American machine, this is not it. It's ruggedly constructed of American steel and runs great. Check out my web site for T-Shirts and other O'Reilly stuff.