Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that explores the use of steam-powered technology in an alternate history. Some writers might enjoy mixing the Victorian era with futuristic technology and other elements, while others take it to the extreme and write stories which are entirely set in the vintage age. Steampunk is also known as diesel punk because it focuses almost exclusively on the internal workings of steam engines. So, how do these two related subgenres fit together? Let’s explore this question further.
What Is Steampunk?
Steampunk is a genre that blends the Victorian era with futuristic technology and other elements. It takes place in an alternate history, where steam-powered technology has been the dominant form of power since the Industrial Revolution. Steampunk stories often take place in a fictional version of London or Victorian Europe, but they can be set anywhere from the 19th century to the future.
So what is dieselpunk? Dieselpunk is a genre that focuses almost exclusively on the internal workings of steam engines. It is set in an alternate history where gas- and diesel-powered engines are used instead of steam engines and technological advancements have changed society drastically. The focus on this particular genre centers on how past events have shaped our civilization today.
Dieselpunk
And Steampunk
Steampunk combines the Victorian era with futuristic technology. There are many elements that make up the subgenre, but they all revolve around steam-powered technology. Some of these elements include airships, automatons, clockwork, vikings who use boats (and not ships), and guns that shoot lightning. On the other hand, dieselpunk is a less popular subgenre which focuses almost exclusively on the internal workings of diesel-powered engines. Dieselpunk includes all sorts of machines and vehicles like trains, trucks, cars, bikes, drones, and more.
Difference Between Steampunk And Dieselpunk
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction which focuses on the use of steam-powered technology in an alternate history. The word steampunk comes from combining “steam” and “punk,” with the implication that some technology or social aspect is being re-imagined from a Victorian era perspective. Steampunk stories often involve advanced technologies, such as airships, clockwork mechanisms, or even biological computers. It usually invents a society by using these technologies in an alternative history that has changed from our own timeline.
Diesel punk is closely related to steampunk and shares many of the same elements when it comes to technology and society. Diesel punk also focuses almost exclusively on the internal workings of steam engines. Diesel punk typically involves individuals or groups who have modernized old machinery for their own purposes and sometimes creates an entirely new society around old machinery. This subgenre has many similarities with steampunk – one difference is that diesel punk takes place in more modern times whereas stepunk takes place in a retro-Victorian world.
Examples of Steampunk Literature
The most famous work of Steampunk literature is probably the novel, 1984. George Orwell’s book takes place in a dystopian London where dark, oppressive forces are constantly kept in check by the power of Big Brother and his Thought Police. The story is set in an alternate version of 1973, when the government is attempting to create a surveillance state that can keep track of every single citizen.
Another example is Robert Charles Wilson’s novel, Spin. In this book, the protagonist travels back in time from the present day to meet up with a girl from 1998 who has been traveling through time across centuries, learning about events that have shaped our future like the invention of flight or vehicles that could reach speeds beyond what nature allows.
These are just two examples of Steampunk literature which show how different authors approach it and how they might not always follow one specific path when writing their work.
Examples of Diesel Punk Books
Diesel punk novels are usually American in style and often fall under the category of sci-fi. They have a more traditional world, with advanced technology being more futuristic than futuristic. Some examples of diesel punk novels are “The Clockwork Rocket” by Michael Moorcock and “The Iron Dream” by Norman Spinrad.
Steampunk novels, on the other hand, can be found in a number of different genres. They sit somewhere between the Victorian era and futuristic fiction. Steampunk is more likely to focus on Victorian-era characters and their interactions with modern technology. Many authors will also include a variety of genres like fantasy or horror into their steampunk stories as well. Notable examples of steampunk novels include “Leviathan Wakes” by James S.A Corey and “Mortal Engines” by Philip Reeves. If you enjoy reading about sci-fi, then you should definitely try a book from either subgenre!
Final Words
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction which explores the use of steam-powered technology in an alternate history. It’s sometimes called diesel punk because it focuses almost exclusively on the internal workings of steam engines.
Mortal Engines, a film that was released in December 2018, is often thought to fall under the category of steampunk but some have suggested it falls more into the category of dieselpunk.
This film has been around for quite awhile and there’s still much debate about whether or not it should be considered steampunk or dieselpunk.
It’s worth noting that Mortal Engines does feature futuristic technology, so even though it has elements related to both genres, it doesn’t fully fit into either one without further consideration.
