Steampunk is a subculture, fashion trend and literary movement that came into prominence during the early 1980s. It combines modern technology with steam-powered machinery to create an alternative history in which 19th century industrial Britain still dominates society. Steampunk outfits, accessories, objects and characters are often designed to look like they belong in a Victorian era fantasy novel or film. People who enjoy steampunk often see it as an escape from the high-tech 21st century world and a chance to rediscover old values and moral codes.
The origin of this unique aesthetic can be traced back to the late 1960’s when science fiction writers such as H G Wells and Jules Verne were rediscovered by young readers in North America and Western Europe who found their depictions of an idealised past easier to take seriously than more realistic contemporary fiction. This interest led to the publication of new editions of classic novels such as The Time Machine (1895) and The Invisible Man (1902). By the early 1970’s there was a flourishing amateur radio culture known as tinkerers which became strongly associated with steampunk because many enthusiasts modelled their radio sets after steam engines, wore piloting goggles over their eyes like goggles worn by train drivers or used propeller-like attachments on their chassis like fans used on locomotives.
Popular Culture Influences Steampunk
In the 1980’s, steampunk became popular as a literary and cultural movement with the publication of Michael Moorcock’s novel The Warlord of the Air (1964), which introduced many of the tropes associated with steampunk.
As a subculture, steampunk is associated with dark Victorian imagery, sometimes influenced by gothic horror literature or art. Steampunk aesthetics are adopted by subcultures such as neopunks, cyberpunks, and post-cyberpunkers who are interested in the dystopian aspects of modern technology and culture.
The term “steampunk” was coined in 1983 to describe a subgenre of science fiction that included alternate history-style stories set in an era inspired by 19th century industrial steam-powered machinery. Steampunk combines technology (often retrofuturism) with fictional 19th-century settings reminiscent of such works such as H. G. Wells’ novels The Time Machine and The War of The Worlds and Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days.
Despite much recent criticism about its lack of creativity and innovation, steampunk is still very popular among those who enjoy the aesthetic, especially young adults between the ages 18 to 30 years old.
History of Steampunk
The origins of steampunk can be traced back to the late 1960’s when science fiction writers such as H G Wells and Jules Verne were rediscovered by young readers in North America and Western Europe who found their depictions of an idealised past easier to take seriously than more realistic contemporary fiction. This interest led to the publication of new editions of classic novels such as The Time Machine (1895) and The Invisible Man (1902). By the early 1970’s there was a flourishing amateur radio culture known as tinkerers which became strongly associated with steampunk because many enthusiasts modelled their radio sets after steam engines, wore piloting goggles over their eyes like goggles worn by train drivers or used propeller-like attachments on their chassis like fans used on locomotives.
Steampunk has since become so popular that it has been featured in mainstream media such as “Doctor Who” and “Harry Potter”. It is also said that steampunk fashion is set to hit the catwalk this autumn with Alexander McQueen’s SS14 collection.
What does Steampunk Mean?
Steampunk is a subculture, fashion trend and literary movement that began in early 1980s.
In steampunk, 19th century industrial Britain still dominates society. Steampunk outfits, accessories, objects and characters are often designed to look like they belong in a Victorian era fantasy novel or film. People who enjoy steampunk often see it as an escape from the high-tech 21st century world and a chance to rediscover old values and moral codes.
Steampunk is also a term that refers to genre of science fiction that depicts a fictionalized past or an alternative history recognizably derived from the late 19th century British industrial revolution with advanced technology and machine-based society at its core, usually set in an era of “the future.”
Is Steampunk Renaissance?
Steampunk has been around for many years, and it does seem to be a Renaissance in the sense that this aesthetic is being recognized more and more. It is not necessarily a new trend since it has been around for a long time, but there are many new people who are now getting into steampunk and the subculture of steampunk. As such, it has been receiving lots of publicity and attention. However, it is difficult to say if this is a true Renaissance because there were already people who were into steampunk before the current generation of people were born, so they did not necessarily start up their own movement or movement that was related to Steampunk.
The Contemporary Steampunk Author
The term steampunk was coined in 1976 by K W Jeter and popularised in the 1980s by science fiction and fantasy writer William Gibson.
In 2005, steampunk was the theme of Maker Faire Bay Area, which showcased a variety of steampunk art, music, dance, theatre, film and technology. In 2013, Locus Magazine listed “steampunk” as one of its top ten subgenres of science fiction.
Conclusion
Steampunk is a unique art and cultural movement that has developed in response to popular culture. The term “Steampunk” is a portmanteau of “steam power” and “Victorian”. It has been used to describe a genre of science fiction or fantasy works.
The best-known example of Steampunk is the science fiction novel The Difference Engine, written by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. Steampunk works typically include anachronistic technology, such as diesel-powered Victorian era machines, at least one of which may go haywire, creating an atmosphere of danger.
However, the origin of the term “Steampunk” is unclear. According to one theory, Steampunk is derived from a subculture that arose in 1980s San Francisco which was made up of people who liked to dress up in costume as late 19th-century Victorian and Edwardian era engineers, inventors, and scientists.
There is no doubt that Steampunk has seen a renaissance in recent years with a growing following of artists and authors who are creating their own unique versions of the genre.
