American traditional tattoos have a long and storied history in the United States. Tattoos have been around since the colonial era, when the original settlers brought their own unique body art designs with them from England, Ireland, Germany, and other parts of Europe. The art form was adopted by sailors and other travelers, who adapted the designs to suit their own needs and interests. These tattoos were often referred to as “flash” tattoos, as they were often sold in sheets of flash cards that could be purchased and applied to the skin. American traditional tattoos were popularized in the 1940s and 1950s due to the rise of celebrities such as Marlon Brando, James Dean, and Elvis Presley, who all sported the classic American traditional tattoo designs.