What the heck is Steampunk?

(Mod computer case that looks like it came out of the 1800's by Jake Von Slatt)

Recently I have become interested in "steampunk". What is "steampunk" you ask? Well, it's a sub genre of fantasy from the 1980's where steam power was used in the 18th and 19th century. It's a combination of modern technology and Victorian design. It's the way some people wish the past was. What if the world was powered by steam in modern times? It is inspired by things like Disney's "2000 Leagues Under the Sea," and TV shows like "Wild Wild West" and "Firefly."




This is Captin Nemo's quarters inside his ship, the Nautilus.


The Nautilus:


Followers of "Steampunk" like the idea of making new things out of old. One of the leaders of this movement is Jake Von Slatt, who made his bus into a steampunk camper. It is complete with a homemade gas lamp over the dining room table and custom woodworking and staircase banister inside:

Watch video about bus camper

Watch video of Jake Von Slatt introduction to "steampunk".

There are many fantasy books involved in this genre, and those include: "Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters," "The Eyre Affair," "The Coral Thief," and "The Affinity Bridge." These are but a few of the items on the top of my reading list right now.

On the video game front, there is the new, "Epic Mickey" which is a game played in a Dystopian Disneyword and the concept art is eye popping.


I especially love the zombie goofie:



Here you can see the Mickey ears and Epcot Center sphere:



What a fun movement! This is an example of a steampunk Victorian bustle dress. Now all it needs is some goggles, a parasol, and telescope.




Example of a steampunk couple in full over the top costume at an event:



If you have a chance, visit D. L. White's blog because she has a really nice post written there "of clockworks, cosets and iron horses". I highly recommend reading her blog. She is a fantastic writer.