What is Steampunk?

Steampunk, also known as Steampunk, is a subgenre of speculative fiction that incorporates elements from the Victorian era and other historical periods. It has been described as “a blend of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and horror”. The term steampunk was coined in 1995 by writers Kij Johnson and Michael Moorcock.

Steampunk is an umbrella term for many different subgenres of literature, film, television, comics, games, music, fashion, etc., which have emerged over the last two decades.

Here’s a list of some great science fiction subgenres.

Origin of the term Steampunk

The word steampunk was first used in a 1995 article written by authors Kij Johnson and Michael J. Mooney called “Steam-Powered Science Fiction”. In this article they defined it as:

“A genre of science fiction stories set in an alternative past or future, where steam power plays a major role.”

In 1999, writer Bruce Sterling coined the term steampunk to describe his own work, including the cyberpunk novel Islands in the Net (1995). He later expanded on the definition, stating that steampunk is about “the way technology can be retrofitted with 19th century sensibilities”, and that it is not just about the use of steam engines but also about “how people live, what their lives are like, how they dress, what they eat, how they think, what they believe, how they treat each other, how they behave towards nature, and so forth.”

In 2005, author Charles Stross wrote a short story entitled “The Laundry Files: The Case of the Clockwork Sparrow” in which he uses the term steampunk. This story was later adapted into a novel titled The Laundry Files.

In 2007, the term steampunk was adopted by the Steampunk Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the culture of steampunk.

They define steampunk as follows:

“Steampunk is an aesthetic and cultural movement that began in the 1990s, inspired by the works of H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, Edgar Allan Poe, and others who imagined fantastic machinery existing alongside the Victorian world we all know. Steampunk embraces our modern technological society while rejecting its dehumanizing aspects such as mass production, large corporations, and mindless consumption. Steampunkers embrace these technologies and use them to create art, literature, architecture, fashion, music, films, and more. Steampunk is a philosophy of life, a celebration of creativity, and a rejection of the soullessness of industrialization.”

Anatomy of Steampunk

There are several ways to classify steampunk. One way is to look at the time period that the setting takes place in. Another way is to look at whether or not it features real inventions. A third way is to look at how the characters interact with the technology. Here are some examples of each type of classification:

Time Period

Some people refer to steampunk as being set in the Victorian Era. Others call it Victorian Fantasy. Still others say that it is set in the Edwardian Age. There are even those who claim that it is set in a post-apocalyptic Earth. These classifications are based on when the events take place within the story. For example, if the story takes place in 1885, then it would be considered Victorian fantasy. If the story takes place in 1985, then it would be set in the present day.

Realistic Invention

Some people refer to steampunk novels as having realistic inventions. They feel that the technology described in the book is accurate and believable. Other people feel that the technology described is too advanced for the time period.

Character Interaction

Some people refer steampunk novels as having character interactions with the technology. They feel that the characters are able to control the technology and make decisions regarding how it should be used. Other people feel that there is no interaction between the characters and the technology.

Visual Identity of Steampunk

One thing that all steampumps have in common is that their visual identity is heavily influenced by the Victorian era. Their clothing consists of corsets, bustles, petticoats, high collars, and other items from this time period. Many of them also wear top hats and goggles. They often decorate their homes with antiques and collectibles from the past. Some people also like to play with gadgets and machines from the Victorian era.

Victorian Influences in Steampunk

The most obvious influence in steampunk is that of the Victorian era. The clothes, houses, furniture, and other objects were designed during this time period. Also, many of the writers of the genre tend to write about the same themes as the Victorians did. For example, they write about science fiction, space travel, robots, magic, and so forth.

Art Deco in Steampunk

Another major influence in steampunk is Art Deco. This style was popular in the 1920’s and 1930’s. It consisted of sleek lines, bright colors, and geometric shapes. The costumes worn by the characters in the stories usually reflect this style. A very popular example is the video game Bioshock.

Other Influences in Steampunk Literature

Another major influence in steampunk is the Industrial Revolution. During this time period, factories replaced farms and mills replaced workshops. This led to the development of new technologies. Steam power was one of the first uses for this energy source. It was also used to run trains, ships, and other mechanical devices.

In addition, steampunk has been inspired by the works of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, and Edgar Allan Poe. In fact, some people believe that these authors invented the term “steampunk.”

Steampunk Rules

There are some basic rules that make up the Steampunk genre, for instance:

• The main method of energy must be via steam or coal power.
• The time period emulates the Victorian or art deco eras.
• The setting can be anywhere in the world.
• Characters can use any kind of technology available at the time period.
• Technology is not limited to the human body. Robots, animals, plants, etc., can be included.

Examples of Steampunk

Steampunk Literature

Some examples of steampunk literature include:

• A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
• The Iron Dragon’s Daughter by Elizabeth Moon
• The Time Machine by H. G. Wells
• The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
• The Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison
• The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham
• The Time Machine (film) by George Pal
• The Black Hole by Arthur C Clarke

Steampunk Movies

Some movies that feature a lot of steampunk elements include:

• Wild Wild West (1999)
• Val Helsing (2004)
• Sherlock Holmes (2009)
• 9 (2009)
• Hugo (2011)
• The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)
• Steamboy (2004)
• Mortal Machines (2018)

Steampunk Art & Design

Many artists have created their own versions of steampunk art and design.

Some of them include:

• Hermann Oberth
• Jules Verne
• Frank Lloyd Wright
• Bram Stoker
• Benjamin Franklin
• Thomas Edison
• Edgar Allen Poe
• Henry Adams
• Arthur Conan Doyle
• Albert Einstein
• H.G. Wells

Steampunk Video Games

Video games that take place in the steampunk universe include:

• Bioshock
• Dishonored
• Volcanoids
• Frostpunk
• Steamworld Dig
• Sunless Seas
• They Are Billions

Steampunk Culture & Events

Some events that celebrate steampunk culture include:

• Steampunk World’s Fair
• Steampunk Expo
• Steampunk Fashion Shows
• Steampunk Comic Conventions
• Steampunk Music Festivals
• Steampunk Gaming Cons
• Steampunk Film Festivals
• Steampunk Book Fairs
• Steampunk Cosplay

Modern Steampunk

Modern steampunk is a subgenre of steampunk that takes place in modern times. The main difference between modern steampunk and traditional steampunk is that modern steampunk does not necessarily take place during the Victorian era. However, there are still many similarities between the two genres. For example, both genres often involve science fiction themes.

Some modern steampunk novels include:

• The Martian Child by Michael Crichton
• The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
• The Windup Girl (film) by Paolo Bacigali
• The Clockwork Dreamers by James Morrow
• The Clockwork Universe by Isaac Asimov
• The Time Ships by Stephen Baxter
• The Dark Tower series by Stephen King

Conclusion

In conclusion, steampunk is an interesting genre of literature that has been around for quite some time now. It combines the best aspects from different genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, horror, mystery, adventure, romance, drama, comedy, thriller, and more. There are many ways you can create your own steampunk story. You can either write it yourself or find someone who already wrote one. Either way, this genre will definitely keep you entertained for hours on end!

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