Back to Top
January 14, 2025
77
Was the Horograph the First Clockwork Tattoo Machine?
Could a Victorian stencil-making tool have inspired the modern tattoo machine? The Horograph, designed by Newton Wilson & Co. 144 High Holborn, London, wasn’t made for tattooing—but its spring-powered, needle-driven mechanism bears a striking resemblance to the motion required for tattooing. This uncanny similarity has sparked enduring curiosity and speculation about whether it may have been repurposed as an early tattoo tool.
What Was the Horograph?
The Horograph was a small, portable, clockwork-powered pen designed to perforate paper. It operated using a wind-up spring mechanism that drove a needle in a consistent, repetitive motion. Its primary purpose was to create stencils for duplicating designs and text, making it valuable in industries that required detailed and repetitive patterns.
Engraving of the Horograph from Scientific American, June 14, 1879.
As described in The Engineer on May 2, 1879:
"Since Mr. Edison’s electric pen has been in use, two other perforating pens have been brought before the public, one in which the pen or its needle is reciprocated by means of a small air cylinder, and the second in which the needle receives its motion from a cam worked by clockwork at the upper part of the pen holder. This last has been called the 'Horograph' by its makers, Messrs. Newton, Wilson, & Co., Holborn."
This description highlights the ingenuity of the Horograph’s design, which could perforate paper at a rate of thousands of punctures per minute. A thumb-operated lever controlled the device, making it easy to use.
The Horograph was patented as Patent No. 5009 - 1879. It was the result of collaboration between three skilled individuals: Newton Wilson, a mechanical engineer; Andre Phillip Hansen, an engineer; and Michael Treinen, a watchmaker. Wilson’s mechanical expertise likely shaped the overall functionality of the device, Hansen contributed to its structural design, and Treinen’s watchmaking skills were critical for the intricate clockwork mechanism.
Would Victorian Tattooists Have Seen the Horograph?
Newton Wilson & Co. likely used their prominent shopfront to display their latest devices, including the Horograph. In addition to their store on High Holborn, the company actively participated in prominent exhibitions.
Horograph advertisement from British Trade Journal, July 1, 1879
For example, they exhibited at the Royal Agricultural Society's International Agricultural Exhibition in 1879 (Stand No. 43), displaying several machines alongside the Horograph. Events like this brought their innovations to a diverse audience of artisans, inventors, and industrial professionals. The trade fairs and journals from the era, such as Morgan's British Trade Journal and The Electrician, reflect their active marketing efforts and help us understand how their products were positioned within Victorian industry.
These exhibitions likely exposed tools like the Horograph to tattooists eager to explore new devices for their craft.
Why Tattooists Experimented with the Horograph
In the late 19th century, tattooing tools were mostly manual, and tattoo artists were keen to find ways to make their work faster, more precise, and less physically demanding. The Horograph naturally appealed to them for several reasons:
Repetitive Needle Action: The Horograph’s needle mechanism mirrored the up-and-down motion needed to deposit ink into the skin.
Portability: The device was small and easy to carry, allowing tattooists flexibility in their work.
Efficiency: Its clockwork motor provided consistent motion, reducing the effort required for tattooing compared to fully manual tools.
Horograph in use, facsimile advertisement from English Mechanic and World of Science, August 1, 1879.
Affordability: The cost of the Holograph if used for tattooing - Then and Now
At the time, the Horograph was priced between £5 5s and £7 15s, depending on the model. These prices were reflective of its innovative design and the cutting-edge technology of the Victorian era. Adjusted for modern inflation, these amounts would equate to approximately £889 to £1,312 in 2025, depending on the configuration. This approximate range gives us a sense of the financial commitment tattooists or other potential users might have faced when considering the Horograph.
(Note: These modern equivalents are approximate values calculated using average inflation rates and serve to provide context for the historical prices.)
Practical Challenges for Tattooing with the Holograph
Top-Heavy Design: The device’s clockwork mechanism, housed in a metallic casing at the top, made it slightly top-heavy. This required users to adjust their grip and technique to handle it comfortably. As one article noted, "the hand rapidly becomes accustomed" after initial awkwardness.
Delicate Needle Motion: Designed to perforate thin paper, the needle action may not have been strong enough to puncture human skin effectively and consistently.
Durability: The intricate clockwork mechanism, while precise, may not have been robust enough for the prolonged use and pressure required for tattooing.
Weaker Striking Force: As the clockwork spring wound down, the needle’s striking power would weaken, leading to inconsistent results.
Emerging Competition: The rapid development of electric tattoo machines in the late 19th century offered more reliability, power, and versatility, quickly overshadowing devices like the Horograph.
Colour photographs of the Newton Wilson & Co - Horograph from the collection of the Tattoo Club of Great Britain.
From Stencils to Skin: How the Horograph Inspired Tattoo Machines
The Horograph played an important role in the evolution of tattooing tools. Even though it wasn’t a tattoo machine, its design encouraged tattooists to experiment with mechanized tools. Its repetitive needle motion and compact size helped bridge the gap between manual methods and the reliable electric machines that followed.
The Horograph’s Place in Tattooing History
Whether or not it was widely used by tattooists, the Horograph holds a unique place in the history of tattooing technology. Its precise, almost medical design may have inspired later tattoo machines, which adopted similarly polished and professional aesthetics.
A Horograph hand-held clockwork needle, attributed to Newton Wilson & Co., was auctioned at Christie’s in London in 1994. Technically, this so-called "clockwork tattoo machine" is a perforating device, not originally intended for tattooing.
As described in Christie's listing:
"NEWTON WILSON & CO., London
A hand-held clockwork tattooist's needle, No. 471, the nickel-plated circular casing with fixed-key wind mechanism, the needle carrier with pressure-bar and screw-mounted needle cover, signed Newton Wilson & Co., Patentees, 144 High Holborn, London -- 5¾ in. (14.5 cm) long, in shaped, leather-covered case."
While its link to tattooing history remains speculative, this artifact—the Horograph—illustrates how its mechanical action might have inspired Victorian tattooists to experiment and push the boundaries of their craft. As a prime example of the era’s obsession with precision engineering and new inventions, it’s easy to see why some Victorian tattooists would have been eager to experiment with the Horograph.
A Bridge Between Industry and Art
The Horograph represents more than just a tool; it reflects the ingenuity of the Victorian era. Even if it wasn’t a practical tattooing device, it symbolizes the willingness of artists and inventors to explore new possibilities. Its chrome finish and intricate mechanism continue to captivate historians and collectors, offering a glimpse into a time when technology reshaped both industry and personal expression.
The Horograph’s legacy isn’t just in its mechanics but in its ability to bridge industrial innovation and artistic expression. While it may not have been the first tattoo machine, it inspired experimentation and stands as a testament to the Victorian fascination with mechanization. It reminds us that even tools designed for one purpose can spark unexpected creativity, influencing fields far beyond their original intent. Whether as a symbol of craftsmanship or a precursor to modern tattoo machines, the Horograph continues to captivate and inspire.
Breakdown of the Newton Wilson Perforation Patent No 5009 - 1878
To truly appreciate the innovation of the Horograph, we can look to its 1878 patent, filed under Patent no: 5009. The device was designed primarily for stencil-making, offering a mechanical solution for creating precise and reproducible text, drawings, and designs. It addressed common challenges of the time, such as the labor-intensive process of manual perforation and the difficulty of producing uniform stencils.
Key to its ingenuity was its compact design and clockwork mechanism. Powered by a spring, the Horograph drove a needle in a rapid, repetitive motion to perforate paper with up to 10,000 punctures per minute. Its thumb-operated lever allowed for easy control, making it a portable and efficient tool.
The collaborative work of mechanical engineer Newton Wilson, structural engineer Andre Phillip Hansen, and watchmaker Michael Treinen highlighted the interdisciplinary creativity of the Victorian era. Though its intended use was industrial and artistic, the Horograph’s design sparked curiosity in other fields, including tattooing. However, its limitations, such as the delicate needle and weakening spring as the clockwork wound down, likely made it impractical for sustained tattooing.
Primary Source Excerpts
The Engineer, May 2, 1879:
"Since Mr. Edison’s electric pen has been in use, two other perforating pens have been brought before the public..."
Engineering, March 21, 1879:
"An instrument for producing fac-simile copies of writing or drawing is now being introduced to the public..."
References
Scientific American, Vol. 40, No. 24 (June 14, 1879)
Wilsons "Horograph" or Clockwork Pen Page 377
Science Museum Group Collection
Object Number:1880-63 Pt1
The Engineer, May 2, 1879
The Horograph Page 313
Engineering, March 21, 1879
The Horograph Page 241
The British Trade Journal July 1, 1879 P.18
The Horograph Page.18
Horograph on display at Royal Agricultural Society of England
Trade Show Kilburn, London. June 30th, 1879 Page 52
The Horograph - English Mechanic and World of Science
August 1 1879 P.532
National Archives
Search results for Newton Wilson & Co
Christie's Auction House, London
Hand-held clockwork tattooist's needle sold at Christie's, London 1994
Newton Wilson & Co. Horograph Patent, GB 5,009 of 1879
Details
Filed: December 7, 1878
Sealed: June 6, 1879
Source: Courtesy of the British Library Business & IP Centre
©Lionel Titchener: Tattoo Club of Great Britain - Oxford
Recent Posts
