American tattoo archivist Chuck Eldridge, who inherited Roger’s entire collection after his death in 1990, believes that Rogers’ contribution to U.S. tattooing was unique. “He was a vital conduit of information and experience,” says Eldridge. “Between 1945 and ’50, Rogers worked with Cap Coleman, who at the time was considered one of the best tattooists in the world. During this period he gained much of his knowledge about how to make and tune tattoo machines from Coleman and another tattooist, Charlie Barr.” Eldridge believes that it was this transference of knowledge about machines to the modern generation of U.S. tattooists that makes Roger’s contribution so significant.
The most popular designs in traditional American tattooing evolved from the artists who traded, copied, swiped and improved on each other's work. The developed a series of stereotyped symbols that were put on soldiers and sailors of both World Wars. Many designs represented courage, patriotism, defiance of death, and longing for family and loved ones left behind.
On the Oct. 16th episode of Spike TV's "Ink Master," the competing tattoo artists were enlisted for a very special challenge: inking American Traditional tattoos on some of the brave men and women who served in our nation's military. The challenge, however, proved that not everyone is ready for active duty.
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