Steampunk is a subgenre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came about during the 1980s to 1990s. It is set in Victorian era of England extending in medieval era, into the realms of horror and fantasy. It represents an alternate history with elements of fiction and fantasy applied on real or theological inventions of Victorian era technology, steam engines, clockwork devices, difference engines (analytical engine) and hydraulics. It is associated in cyberpunk since steampunk is just cyberpunk tales set in the past of steam era technology. It can be both dystopian, with noir and pulp fiction, or utopian, with sensibilities of Victorian scientific romances. It is shortly the dawn of Information Age more than a century ahead of schedule.
There are two major variants of steampunk, namely, historical steampunk and fantasy world steampunk. Historical steampunk tends to become more science fictional presenting an alternate history and people of the past with different technology such as steam/spring propelled gadgets. It’s the beginning of Industrial Revolution without much electricity. Fantasy world steampunk is steampunk in a completely imaginary fantasy realm, with legendary creatures coexisting with steam era and technology. Other variants are gaslight romances, western steampunk, diesel punk, and clockpunk.
Now steampunk is evolving into a subculture, adopting it through fashion, home decor and music, or described as Neo-Victorianism. It’s designs has the materials with design elements and craftsmanship consistent with Victorian era on polished brass, iron, wood, and images set in sepia and yellowish brown hue. Steampunk fashion synthesize modern styles filtered through the Victorian era. gowns, petticoats, corsets and bustles for ladies, and suits with vest, coats, spats ad military inspired garments for men. It is accessorized by theological period accessories such as timepieces, parasols, goggles, ray guns, and clock parts. Even modern accessories like cellphones and iPods can be used after it was modified to steampunk look and design.
Works
Steampunk Music
- Abney Park
- The Clockwork Quartet
- Thomas Truax
- Doctor Steel
- Unextraordianary gentlemen
- Vernian Process
Literature
- Tim Powers (The Anubis Gates)
- James Blaylock (Homunculus, Narbando)
- K.W. Jeter (Morlock Night, Infernal Devices)
- H.G. Wells (The Time Machine)
- Mervyn Peake (Titus Alone)
- The Wild Wild West
- Keith Laumer (Imperium, Worlds of the Imperium)
- Ronald W. Clark (Queen Victoria’s Bomb)
- Michael Moorcock (Warlords of the Air, A Nomads Of The Time Streams)
- William Gibson and Bruce Sterling (The Difference Engine)
- Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)
- Ann and Jeff VanderMeer (Steampunk)
- Jay Lake ( Mainspring)
Historical Steampunk
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire
- Difference Engine
- Space: 1889
- League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
- The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne
- Nadia: The Secret of The Blue Water
- Girl Genius
- The Fabulous World Of Jules Verne
Fantasy World Steampunk
- Rise of Nation: Rise of The Legends
- Arcanum: Of Steamworks And Magick Obscura
- Treasure Planet
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