About Samuel O'Reilly
Lived 1900 – 1908. Samuel O'Reilly was an American inventor, engineer and tattoo artist, known for Tattoo machine.
Samuel F. O’Reilly (May 1854 - 29 April 1909) was an American tattoo artist from New York, who patented the first electric tattoo machine on December 8, 1891.
Biography O’Reilly was born in Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut, to Irish immigrants Thomas O’Reilly and Mary Ann Hurley in May 1854.
He began tattooing in New York around the mid-1880s, probably mentored by Martin Hildebrandt. Although O'Reilly held the first patent for an electric tattoo machine, tattoo artists had been experimenting with and modifying a variety of different machines prior to the issuance of the patent. O'Reilly's first pre-patent tattoo machine was a modified dental plugger, which he used to tattoo several dime museum attractions for exhibition between the years 1889 and 1891.
On April 29, 1909, Samuel O'Reilly fell while painting his house and died. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Samuel O'Reilly?
American tattoo artist
When was Samuel O'Reilly born?
Samuel O'Reilly was born in 1900 in Ireland.
When did Samuel O'Reilly die?
Samuel O'Reilly died in 1908 in Brooklyn.
What was Samuel O'Reilly's occupation?
Samuel O'Reilly was an inventor, engineer and tattoo artist.
What was Samuel O'Reilly known for?
Samuel O'Reilly was known for Tattoo machine.
What nationality was Samuel O'Reilly?
Samuel O'Reilly was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Samuel O'Reilly. https://biography.guide/samuel-o-reilly/
MLA: "Samuel O'Reilly." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/samuel-o-reilly/.
Chicago: "Samuel O'Reilly." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/samuel-o-reilly/.
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