Steampunk

Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often set in Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date. Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of “the path not taken” of such technology as dirigibles or analog computers; these frequently are presented in an idealized light, or a presumption of functionality.

The aesthetic movement Steampunk wants to bring the wonder back into our relationship with machines. Its tack is to fully embrace (and affect) an Edwardian orientation to the world. Though Steampunk has been a growing cultural trend for a few decades, it really came into its own in the aughts and is now a full-fledged phenomenon. Steampunks dress like the Wright Brothers and Arctic explorers. They write alternate history fantasies in which alien clones ride around in dirigibles by the light of gas lamps. Steampunks are fascinated by mechanics, and Steampunk art, jewelry, and fashion often involve gears, wheels, pulleys, and, of course, steam: a laptop computer fused with a rickety typewriter; an arcade game redesigned to look like a mini-submarine. What most defines Steampunk as a culture, however, is attitude. The “punk” in Steampunk confronts technology’s alienating qualities with messy DIY defiance. The “steam” (besides its literal connotations) is almost like another word for magic: brute, utilitarian contraptions powered by clouds, and breath — ephemeral energy.

 

Have you seen the Steampunk House? Awesome.

 

Steampunk designs I like:

iPhone 3D Stereoscope From Etsy

Here is the ultimate app for your Iphone, a Steampunk 3D viewer complete with Victorian style handle. The viewer comes with a DVD containing 150 19th century stereograms sorted into groups including Civil War, nudes, trains, ships, flying machines, New York, and people.
The Stereoscope is made to fit the Iphone 4S, you begin a slide show on one of the photo groups or the larger group and slide your Iphone into a slot in the side. Note – the viewer does not come with an Iphone (d’uh)
The Stereoscope Viewer is a very usable example of Steampunk craftsmanship. It is made of wood with brass trim, and is signed and dated by Will Rockwell.

 

Via on Etsy

Desk lamp. Table lamp. Accent light . Line voltage . 30 watt combined wattage. Approximate measurements: 28 x 17 x 8″. . Galvanized 3/4″ plumbing fittings and two 12oz beer bottles. 12 ft grounded power cable. Rotary faucet handle “on-off” switch. All electrical components are UL listed (Westinghouse). Swing arm adjusts 30 – 40 degrees. Comes with removable adjustable clip-on shades . Clear; Frosted (sandblasted) or Semi- frosted bottles available. Painted “dark metalic gray” or color of your choice. Made-to-order in approximately 2 weeks. Possible slight variations from pictured item. This custom steampunk Xbox 360 controller by MorbidStix will surely warm the heart of any neo-Victorian gamer. The lock and key is an especially nice touch! Link

Steampunk Mouse – brain included.

Han Solo is a pipe-chewing, bowler hat and pinstripe-wearing rogue with mutton chops and fancy specs. Not a design, just a concept. More Star Wars Steampunk here.

 

Mr. Potato Head Via

How can you not fall in lust with this steampunk vinyl record player – complete with whistling steam engine! So cool.

Steampunk iPhone Etsy Store

Steampunked Game boy

Coffee Table Steel

Via Slippery Brick

 

Franck Buchwald Machine Lights

Solid geometric anomaly location gauntlet (better than any GPS you can imagine, as it points to a “plane without a surface”, a geometric anomaly, which claimed even the most talented of scholars, never heard from again) -

The Inquisitor: ambient aetheric ocular device -

“I sit in my darkened room and tinker, and what I create is just a product of what’s on my mind and what I wish existed in reality.”

SteamSpock via RabbitTooth

This is my bike:

I wish it was this:

AGT on MySpace Video Submission

For Sale on Etsy

Hearing Aid

Source

Via Adafruit

Via Mac’s Etsy Store

Via

Steampunk Chopper

Steampunk Fashions! More here.