Wikipedia defines Steampunk as, “a genre that originated during the 1980s and early 1990s and incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternative history, horror and speculative fiction. It involves a setting where steam power is widely used—whether in an alternative history such as Victorian-era Britain or “Wild-West”-era United States, or in a post-apocalyptic time —that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians might have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style and art. This technology includes such fictional machines as those found in the works of H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, or the contemporary authors Philip Pullman, Scott Westerfield and China Mieville.

I recently saw a wonderful exhibition about steampunk fashion and design at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. It was completely enjoyable. At its core, the movement is about creating something original and having mock-serious fun.

Have a look at some of their design ideas for everyday items:

Typewriter

Watch

And here are some of the characters people have created for themselves:

And, here’s a video about Steampunk from an exhibition at the University of Oxford: