I was trolling through various design sites online and happened across a little something called “Steampunk“. To summarize, it’s Victorian Sci-Fi and while not exactly a new trend, it’s certainly gaining steam. (hah!)

It began in the 1990′s as a genre of literature which itself paid homage to the speculative sci-fi style of Victorians like Jules Verne. Some obvious examples of Steampunk are found in Hollywood films like The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen but more serious Steampunkers, like those who subscribe to SteamPunk Magazine would say it’s more of an aesthetically based culture that seeks to resurrect and romanticize a time when

“beautiful, monstrous machines that lived and breathed and exploded unexpectedly at inconvenient moments. It was a time where art and craft were united, where unique wonders were invented and forgotten, and punks roamed the streets, living in squats and fighting against despotic governance through wit, will and wile.”

Steampunk Laptop

Followers often cite their own misgivings about the explosion of the rapid rise of the Information Age and a desire to experience the wonderousness of the late 1800′s.

And make no mistake – the Steampunk movement is quite intense.  Check out this website, The Steampunk Workshop where fans submit the DIY Steampunk projects they’ve created.  Herein lies the most impressive aspect of Steampunk – the objects you see that have been Steampunked are all custom designed.  Generally speaking, the artist took a mass produced, common product like a watch, computer, or pair of eye-glasses, and modified it to their own design with their own hands.

The movement is also rather inclusive – fans can Steampunk their iphones through the purchase of this Steampunk skin or applications that can be found through the Apple store.

To learn more about Steampunk, check out this YouTube video about the movement’s origins that includes examples of the work.

Check it out -

-B.C.Bodnar