When we talk about the Victorian era in Britain, there are three famous styles associated with it.
1. Victorian Style: A Historical Witness
The first is the Victorian style, which serves as a historical witness.
2. Modern Gothic Style: Inspired by the Gothic Revival Movement
The second is the modern Gothic style, inspired by the Gothic Revival movement.
3. Steampunk: An Alternate History
The third is the Steampunk style, which often sets its narrative in an alternate history.
I have briefly introduced the first two styles in previous blog posts, so feel free to check those out. But today, let’s focus on answering the question: What is Steampunk?
Steampunk: A Fusion of Steam and Punk
Firstly, Steampunk is a portmanteau, combining the words "steam" and "punk." Of course, the "steam" here doesn’t refer to the gaming platform that empties your wallet, but to the steam engine—the greatest creation of the Industrial Revolution. As for "punk," it refers to a rebellious, exaggerated, and imaginative style. When combined, these elements form an alternate world where steam technology has reached its peak, often set in Victorian England, primarily because the Industrial Revolution during this period had a huge impact on the world.
So, the key is to have a strong and wealthy nation—only then can you focus on creating and innovating.
In simple terms, Steampunk greatly exaggerates the technology of the Industrial Revolution, creating a world dependent on mechanical devices that is distinctly different from today’s technological civilization or any future technological advancements.
The Literary Origins of Steampunk
Originally, Steampunk was confined to literature. The science fiction writer K. W. Jeter coined the term, attempting to categorize his and the works of Tim Powers and James Blaylock. Inspired by Cyberpunk, Jeter referred to their works as "Steampunk." This means Steampunk came into being after Cyberpunk, and some scholars even view Steampunk as an evolution of Cyberpunk, though there are many ways to define it, which is not something we need to delve into here.
A notable literary work in the Steampunk genre is The Difference Engine by William Ford Gibson. Incidentally, Gibson is also a foundational figure in Cyberpunk literature. Why mention this specific book? Not only because it’s a landmark work, but also because the Difference Engine is considered the ultimate technology in the Steampunk worldview. Without it, the Steampunk world would not exist. So, what exactly is the Difference Engine?
The Difference Engine: The Ultimate Steampunk Technology
The Difference Engine is a theoretical mathematical analysis machine. Its function is to convert complex equations of function tables into differential calculations, replacing squaring with simple addition and subtraction.
To explain further would probably put us to sleep, but essentially, it’s a machine that performs complex mathematical calculations entirely with mechanical, not electronic, components. Think of it as a purely mechanical computer—before modern computers, of course. Charles Babbage, at the age of 20 in 1812, proposed this idea, and in 1822, he completed the first Difference Engine, capable of processing three different five-digit numbers with a calculation precision of up to six decimal places.
In 1834, Babbage proposed a bolder design for a general-purpose computing machine (though it was never realized), calling it the "Analytical Engine." This machine would have been capable of solving complex equations with up to 100 variables, with each variable having 25 digits, operating at a speed of one calculation per second. The idea was to power it using steam engines to drive vast systems of gears. In short, it was a computer powered by a steam engine—an incredibly sophisticated and intricate machine, a true pinnacle of mechanical engineering, endowing machines with computational capabilities.
That’s why early science fiction writers could imagine a Steampunk world powered by a Difference Engine for calculations and processing, paired with all kinds of complex steam-powered machinery.
The Four Key Characteristics of Steampunk
In terms of features, Steampunk generally has four key characteristics:
1. Imagination
This is a unifying trait across all types of punk. In Steampunk worlds, we encounter numerous steam-powered machines and concepts that we have never seen before. This comes from an exaggerated perception of the core technology of the Industrial Revolution—the steam engine. By blending these mechanical innovations with wild imagination, Steampunk worlds are visually stunning, representing an alternate world filled with steam-driven technologies.
2. Retro and Fusion
As mentioned, Steampunk is often set in the Victorian era, the peak of the Industrial Revolution. This period marks the transition from the classical world to modern society, fusing retro aesthetics with futuristic fantasies. In Steampunk, you can find elements from Victorian fashion, architecture, and worldviews. Of course, Steampunk has also expanded beyond the Victorian setting, exploring various other historical or fictional backgrounds.
Interestingly, Steampunk worlds often incorporate elements of mystery, magic, and alchemy. This means that there’s a collision of technology and magic—two seemingly incompatible elements that harmonize in Steampunk. This reflects how people during the transitional period between the ancient and modern eras viewed the mysterious aspects of the world. It’s also a key difference between Steampunk and other punk subgenres.
3. Assemblage Aesthetics
In Steampunk, you’ll often see a lot of machinery and architecture that seems to be pieced together—wood and steel joined together, gears and mechanical systems assembled. People themselves wear outfits combining fabric and metal. This method of creation is a hallmark of modern art, with styles like collage and Dadaism frequently using similar techniques. If there’s enough interest, I can write more on this topic in future posts. These combined creations—whether mechanical, architectural, or in fashion—are often a fusion of past magic and future technology, resulting in highly imaginative creations.
The underlying motivation is, as with the previous two characteristics, the simultaneous nostalgia for the past and a fantasy about the future, enabled by the transition from the old world to the new.
4. Gigantic and Intricate
In Steampunk, the steam technology can vary widely. There are enormous airships and mechanical structures, but there are also very finely crafted devices, like the previously mentioned Difference Engine. For example, in Love, Death & Robots, there’s a mechanical fox demon, which reflects the boundless exaggeration and imagination surrounding mechanical technology. It symbolizes the intense trust and admiration for steam and machinery that people of the Industrial Revolution had, believing that steam engines and mechanical technology could not only propel nations to glory but also improve the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
This is another key difference between Steampunk and other punk worlds. While Cyberpunk often features dystopian societies with high technology and low living standards, Steampunk frequently has utopian qualities. The negative impacts of this world are largely limited to pollution from fossil fuels like coal. Most Steampunk worlds present a positive view of technology, which could be seen as an affirmation of the Industrial Revolution.
Steampunk in Modern Culture
Today, Steampunk remains highly influential across various fields, including film and animation, with works like Mortal Engines, Hugo, and Steamboy.
In the realm of video games, one of my personal favorites is BioShock Infinite, which draws heavily from Steampunk aesthetics and design. The Steampunk influence is seen everywhere, from literature to art to culture, and even in the new production and distribution mediums enabled by technological progress. Perhaps this is perfectly aligned with Steampunk’s core belief: technology is always the primary driving force behind progress.
