What I like about Steampunk:
I like:
- Goggles
- Evil mechanical bad guys
- Mechanical arms
- Flying ships
- Clockworks
- Twirly mustached villains
- Leather satchels
- Gadgets
- Timepieces on chains
- Tools on chains
- Churning gears
- Dirigibles
- Melancholy side-kicks
- Tubes and beakers
- Steam engines
- Swords
- Muskets
- Boots with buckles
- Giant mechanical automatons
- Copper
- Top hats
- Capes
- Ladies in dresses
- Rivots
- Mike Mignola’s creations (Fist on chain, mecha-ape, etc.)
- Gaslight
- That it is largely undefined; there’s no “wrong” way.
- That it’s a DIY movement; you make your own gear, costumes, and stuff.
- Cowboys (Yes, these can be steampunk too… just the USA version.)
- People are generally doing a great job with their costumes and props.
What I don’t like about steampunk:
- It’s getting popular
- Soon, everything will be “steampunk”
- Cheesy British accents
- There hasn’t been a totally proper steampunk movie yet
Thoughts? Concerns? What do you like/dislike?
Related posts:
I would also like to add:
- Waistcoats
- The Victorian ideal that if you apply enough iron and steam and engineering know-how you can solve ANY problem
- Impeccable politeness, even when face-to-face with a nefarious foe
- Exploration of unknown frontiers
- Doughty manservants who are as adept at mixing a perfect Singapore Sling as they are engaging in fisticuffs with Thuggee cultists
- Pith helmets
Also as far as properly steampunk movies go, I’d recommend The Mysterious Geographic Explorations of Jasper Morello – it’s an animation rather than a live-action movie, but it is so steampunk. And beautiful. And Lovecraftian.
Thanks for the additions, Magic13. You’re certainly right.
I think I’ve seen trailers for Jasper Morello. Worth a second look.
He is #13
Steam is #8
I am 10-10
“I am not a number! I am a free man” (Iron Maiden Reference/ borrowed from “The Prisoner)
Likes:
Rivits on boot bottoms (for the clique when I walks and SPARKS when I drag em!
Interesting smoking devices and cigarette tips, or loosly rolled Wildwood type ‘gars. (even if never lit. Hey, there might be flamable items around here!)
Wooden items with brass corners, finishing brads and a brass monogram.
Telescopes on tripods
Galileo Thermometer & Barometers
Pressure gauges and releif valves
Pocket watches & clocks with exposed mechanisms
Gauntlet gloves with tight wrist seal
Jacobs Ladder & Tesla Coils
Dislikes:
Snake oil salesmen
Extended pinky when drinking ANYTHING.
Alcohol, unless it is in my bunson burner.
Anything that will be on this planet 1000 years after it was disposed of.
Inferior steel (holding an edge or structural integrity)
Too much reading without an occasional picture
People that consistantly conflict with themselvs (non-smokers that smoke after a snifter of brandy)
Corsetts: Come on. I really like the natural shape of a woman.
This link makes me think how weird other cultures of children were/are raised and their surroundings! http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2009/03/nightmare-playgrounds-part-3.html
Nice.
What about the movie “Steam Boy”? I thought it was great.
Oh you know, I forgot about that one. I like it a lot, and actually own it.
I guess I was thinking live-action, primarily.
Atlantis: The Lost Empire is another animated film that has some cool steampunky equipment in it.
The Wild, Wild West movie (Will Smith). Has many steam punk elements (big steam driven robots). People seemed to hate it, but I liked it.