What is Steampunk? Even if you’ve never heard the term before, you are probably familiar with the subgenre as it relates to film and media. Steampunk is a retro-futuristic subgenre of science fiction. It incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. And as a form of speculative fiction, it explores alternative futures or pasts and often also addresses real-world social issues.
Moreover, Steampunk is a literary genre that was born to be an extravagant, hyperbolic form. Stories come in a variety of subgenres like mystery, horror, romance, paranormal, and detective.
Who Invented Steampunk?
Kevin Jeter‘s 1979 novel Morlock Night, a unique sequel of H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine, is considered the first Steampunk novel, and the beginning of clockwork fashion. However, the term Steampunk was not officially coined by Jeter until 1987. He used the term to describe a subgenre of speculative fiction in which steam, not electricity, drove technological advancements.
Is Steampunk Fantasy or Science Fiction?
Steampunk is not fantasy. However, it is a subgenre of science fiction, which draws inspiration from technology and aesthetic designs of the 1800s. As a result, the Victorian world’s common use of steam-powered machinery is prominent.
What is Steampunk Fashion?
Steampunk fashion is influenced by the fashion of the mid-19th century. For women, this fashion was often dominated by long, flowing dresses, regal bodices and corsets in brocade or leather, and of course, lace-up boots.
For men, Steampunk fashion is all about proper Victorian fashion like tweed waistcoats, bowler and top hats, aviator accessories, silk cravats, brass buttons, and pocket watches.
And above all, unisex goggles are a trademark of Steampunk fashion. Furthermore, traditional accessories like gas masks and ornate gun holsters are also staples of Steampunk fashion. But above all, the design keeps a post-apocalyptic era in mind.
Top 10 Steampunk Movies:
- Hugo
- Wild Wild West
- Mortal Engines
- Van Helsing
- Sherlock Holmes
- The House with a Clock in the Walls
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
- Castle in the Sky
- Abigail
- Sucker Punch
- Howel’s Moving Castle
What is the Difference between Cyberpunk, Steampunk, and Dieselpunk?
Cyberpunk is set in a fictional world, a lawless subculture of a society largely controlled by computer technology. In contrast, Cyberpunk stories are set in a grimy dystopian futuristic metropolis setting. In addition, these stories are always visually dynamic. Artificial intelligence and cybernetics juxtaposed with neon and vaporwave aesthetics.
Steampunk incorporates outdated technology and aesthetics inspired by 19th-century steam-powered machinery. And generally is seen as the late Victorian and early Edwardian period with a cutoff date of the start of the First World War. The Steampunk aesthetic is clockwork elements, contraptions, warm earth tone accents, copper, brass, leather, and polished woods.
Dieselpunk is seen as the interwar year and the beginnings of the Machine Age. The aesthetic is chrome, Bakelite, thin-framed glass, pale wood, diesel, and electric power, art-deco and streamlined styling, valve technologies, and nixie tubes. The Dieselpunk aesthetic uses sharp lines and is pale, cool colors in greys and glossy black.
What are Popular Steampunk Tropes?
Tropes include hero-scientist, intrepid explorer, air pirate, pioneering aviator, genius inventor/tinkerer, mad scientist, orphan/street urchin, aristocrat/socialite, femme fatal, gunslinger, alchemist, and horologist. For a more detailed list, check out this Steampunk Index.
15 Steampunk Books Every Reader Will Love:
1. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
2. Morlock Night by K.W. Jeter
3. Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve
4. The Oculist’s Daughter by Angel Favazza (YA)
5. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel
6. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
7. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld (YA)
8. Soulless by Gail Carriger
9. Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding
10. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare
11. Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina
12. The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
13. Terminal World by Alastair Reynolds
14. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
15. The Diamond Age by Neal Stephenson
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Steampunk’s influence in the 21st century has expanded to include film, television, art, music, and fashion. Even mainstream designers Prada, Versace, and Kenneth Cole have incorporated this style into their clothing and accessories.
In spite of its vintage feel, Steampunk as a literary subgenre is relatively new, with roots that barely reach back to the ’70s. Moreover, the seeds of this subgenre can be traced back to the 19th century, when Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley, and others were writing about Steampunk-like themes. These authors helped to pave the way for a variety of modern incarnations.
Is Steampunk dead in 2021?
No way! The Steampunk genre is alive and thriving. There are many festivals and conventions held every year, even in 2021, which has had over 30 events planned throughout the USA. This aesthetic is alive and well in literature, videogames, movies, fashion, art, and home décor.
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Check out 7 Reasons Why You Should Read Sci-Fi.