When Captain James Cook first encountered the Polynesians in the eighteenth century, he couldn't have known that one of the enduring consequences would be the tattoo.
Since then, both men and women have fallen under the tattoos spell - whether it was burly seamen with anchors on their biceps or tattooed ladies from circus side-shows. Now, of course, every self-respecting young woman has one. Sheila discusses the appeal of the tattoo with enthusiast, Sam Cox. Skin Deep: a history of tattooing at the National Maritime Museum, 22 March 2002 to September 2002
