Temp Tattoos

Smurfs, PeeWee's Playhouse and the Bionic Woman were also card packs that included tattoos, intended as a means to promote their television programs. For example, not only did sports card packs include chewing gum, beginning in the 1970s, many included temporary tattoos which are considered collectors items today. In addition to snacks, television programs, sports teams and cartoon characters started to use tattoos as promotional tools. Temporary tattoos as giveaways in conjunction with snacks or other toys remained the cornerstone of temporary tattoos usage for decades. But before we get to the quality tattoos that are available today, we have a few more decades to weed through. My, have tattoos evolved! Unfortunately, tattoos of the early 20th century were of poor quality and came off as soon as they were rubbed or got wet. Cracker Jack® amazingly still includes the same style tattoos as one of their "prize in every box" giveaways today. These tattoos were transferred from paper to the skin with the use of water. They were first used as prizes in bubble gum and later, in 1890, and the well into the 1900s, they were created and included in boxes of Cracker Jacks® snacks. Though it is difficult to determine when the first temporary tattoo was printed, it is thought that they have been designed and manufactured since the turn of the 20th century.

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