What Is Steampunk All About?

My Favorite Steampunk Movie

What is Steampunk? Let us start with what it isn't. It isn't a style of clothing. It isn't a style of jewelry. It isn't a subculture. It isn't a bunch of kids playing dress up. It is all of these things and much more and in some cases much less.

Imagine what our world would be like if the internal combustion engine had never been created. What if electricity had never been the primary source of energy to power all of our many devices and gadgets. What if steam had won out as the best way to power things. What if Edwardian and Victorian clothing had stayed in fashion.

Steampunk is "what if." Movies like "Stardust" and "Sherlock Holmes"  and "The Time Machine" portray a very different society with a very different set of rues and sense of style. The style is quite beautiful to some, me included. I design some of my jewelry in the Steampunk style.

Perhaps our world would be in much better shape had we never had the internal combustion engine and the need to use so much fossil fuel. Perhaps we would be better off if steam power had been the primary force in running all of our machinery. Perhaps not. This is where the fantasy of Steampunk comes into play.

What are your thoughts? I would really like to know.