In 1872, Thomas Edison invented the electric pen. This device was one of the first forms of an electric writing tool and can be considered a precursor to the modern-day tattoo machine.
The electric pen worked by using a simple motor that made the pen vibrate. When the pen was applied to a surface, it would perforate paper, allowing for quicker replication of handwritten documents. This was particularly useful in businesses where duplicates were necessary. While the electric pen itself didn’t achieve commercial success, it paved the way for Edison’s later work and innovations in the field of electric machines and tools.