The speculative fiction fans out there will be completely au fait with 'steampunk', but for the rest of you dreadfully unaware creatures of the 21st century, steampunk is just so hot right now (and back then, and later on). Steampunk is a fork of cyberpunk, science fiction with a neo-Victorian sensibility - "where Verne-esque and Wellsian science is a reality," to quote Steampunk Lab.

Basically, it's imagining an alternate past - named steampunk because early industrial technology was primarily powered by steam. The earliest example of steampunk I have personal 'experience' of is Metropolis, that dark, dark film by Fritz Lang (viewed, suitably, during a lecture in a science fiction literature unit I took at University), although it was just straight SF to me at the time.

While discussions and appreciation of steampunk would normally be confined to fan forums, SF conventions and the like, that would really be strangling its possibilities. The first time I'd ever read the word 'steampunk' was when I was browsing Etsy, my favourite destination for crafty shopping. I noticed a sudden spike in beautiful jewellery incorporating watch mechanisms, and the 'steampunk' tag made me want to know more.

Some interesting books and films of a steampunk persuasion I have enjoyed:

• Frankenstein (Mary Shelley)
• The Shadow in the North (Philip Pullman)
• His Dark Materials (Philip Pullman)
• Anathem (Neal Stephenson)
• Metropolis
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (oh yes, indeed!)
• The Time Machine
• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow
• The Rocketeer
• Hellboy and Hellboy 2
  

And now I think steampunk should step out from the shadows of sub-genre. Because it's clever, imaginative, and inspires such hot fashion. Add your suggestions of steampunk films, books and comics in the comments so everyone can enjoy this fascinating look into what could have been.

Inspired by the steampunked drawings of Star Wars characters by Bjorn Hurri (via Trendhunter).

Related links

• Trends: Penny Dreadfully Steampunk
• Steampunk Lab
• The Steampunk Workshop
• Steampunkopedia
• Aether Emporium
• SteamPunk Magazine

Icon from Builder's Studio on Flickr.

back to top