What does Steampunk mean to you?

[kinzel]

OK gang --

in the spirit of learning and sharing, let me ask you a few questions, with some caveats --

first, do not run to wikipedia to find out the answer.
second, this is based on your own knowledge, your own opinion, and your own recollection
three, please don't read other answers first. If you want to discuss points with people, do so after you've answered for you.

1: What is Steampunk?

2: When did Steampunk start?


Thanks for playing!

Comments

[keristor.livejournal.com]

1) Steampunk is a style (possible sub-genre) of alternate-history SF where 'modern' technology developed earlier, typically in Victorian times. It includes things like the Babbage engines getting built, Victorians developing heavier-than-air flight and radio. It is sometimes used for much earlierperiods as well, such as the Romans or Greeks. It is also used for fannish role-playing and costuming about that sub-genre, including making devices with modern ideas but Victorian technology, and making thing which look Victorian but contain modern technology.

2) I don't know when the term was first used, but the concept has been around at least since the 1960s (Harry Harrison's "A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah!" and Ronald Clark's "Queen Victoria's Bomb", for instance).