Steampunk Research

Steampunk is a cultish mix of sci-fi and victoriana that was created in the 1980's it is commonly used with fashion and machinery. The reason steampunk is based on the victorian era is because this was when many different types of machinery where being invented due to use steam power. This machinery would consist of cogs and moving parts, which the steampunk style has used as the basis of all it's graphic art. I would say the best way to describe steampunk is a futuristic victoriana.

"Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery,especially in a setting inspired by industrialised Western civilisation during the 19th century. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power."

 The image on the left is a prime example of steampunk fashion, the colours in the image are dark and quite powerful this is what would be commonly found for this style. The gentleman in the image is well dressed and has a sense of being upperclass, it was was common in the victorian era for wealthy people to have photographs taken of them in these poses. The only difference with this image is the strong eye-catching mechanical arm which consists of the trademark steampunk materials such as cogs and steam pistons. In this image the photographer has managed to display the link between the victorian era and the steampunk style by using the common victorian pose.

The image on the right is how I personally would describe steampunk if it was a real era that had existed, with giant exquisite machinery such as these trains that would require countless men to power and work. You can see the sheer size of the machinery but comparing the people to the train, i think this shows the power of the steampunk style.