Do you remember these anchor tattoos on Popeye
the Sailor Man?
It turns out they reflect a deep history of tattoos
and sailors, Including a connection
to the most famous tattoo artist to call Wisconsin home.
In the late 19th and early 20th century,
tattoos were much more common amongst sailors.
Historians believe they picked up
the cultural practice while traveling around the world.
Being a sailor was a lot of work,
but there could also be a lot of downtime.
And one of the hobbies a sailor might pick up was tattooing.
Some sailors would get tattoos of their ships.
Others would get special designs for specific accomplishments
like crossing the Atlantic or sailing around the world.
They would also get tattoos
for good luck or to remind them of home.
Amund Dietzel,
“The Master of Milwaukee,” was a sailor
who learned tattooing while at sea.
After getting shipwrecked in Canada in 1907,
he made his way to Milwaukee and eventually opened a tattoo
studio there.
Over the next few decades, he tattooed thousands of people,
no doubt including plenty of anchors
like those seen on Popeye's bulging forearms.