This document provides an overview of steampunk, a subgenre of science fiction set in a fantasy version of the 19th century featuring steam-powered technology. It discusses defining features such as brass, cogs and Victorian aesthetics. Lesser-known related subgenres like dieselpunk are mentioned. Influential early works and the origin of the term "steampunk" in the 1980s are outlined. Examples across media like film, television, games and music are provided. The thriving steampunk community and conventions are briefly described.

1. Steampunk
by Chris Gough

2. What is steampunk?
Steampunk is a subgenre of Science Fiction. It
features themes and technologies from the
1800s to early 1900s in fantasy settings.

3. Getting Specific
Some other, lesser known subgenres usually
bundled under steampunk:
Clockpunk Dieselpunk

4. Getting Specific
Cyberpunk can also be considered to be related
to steampunk

5. Getting Specific
Steampunk works set in America usually have a
Wild-West feel to them, and are sometimes
called “cattlepunk”

6. Steampunk Features
Very old-fashioned technology – lots of brass,
cogs and crazy ideas

7. Steampunk Features
Victorian values, language, and costume

8. Steampunk Features
Victorian values, language, and costume (sort of)

9. Steampunk Features
Dead-end science and technology that never
caught on…

11. Steampunk Features
Victorian values, language, and costume
Dead-end science and technology that never
caught on
“Zeerust”

12. Zeerust
“... the particular kind of datedness which afflicts
things that were originally designed to look
futuristic.”
Douglas Adams & John Lloyd,
The Meaning of Liff

13. A late 19th
century
suggestion of
life in the
twentieth
century

14. A Brief History of Steampunk
19th century novelist Jules Verne’s work isn’t
technically steampunk, but its influence on
modern steampunk is massive.

15. The 1927 silent film Metropolis is considered
another early example of steampunk themes,
including automation, mad science and
pollution
A Brief History of Steampunk

16. Mervyn Peake’s 1959 book Titus Alone is
considered a forerunner to steampunk literature
A Brief History of Steampunk

17. The term “steampunk” was coined by K. W.
Jeter, the author of Morlock Night (1979) in a
letter to Locus magazine in 1987.
A Brief History of Steampunk

18. K. W. Jeter
“Personally, I think Victorian fantasies are going
to be the next big thing, as long as we can come
up with a fitting collective term... Something
based on the appropriate technology of the era;
like ‘steam-punks’, perhaps.”

19. Themes & Tropes
Alternate History
(this is a VERY popular theme)

23. Themes & Tropes
Themes borrowed from other genres, such as
• Horror (Clockwork Century Trilogy)

24. Themes borrowed from other genres, such as
•Science Fiction (The Diamond Age)
Themes & Tropes

25. Themes borrowed from other genres, such as
•Fantasy (the Alexia Tarabotti novels)
Themes & Tropes

26. Steampunk in other media:
Film
• The Wild Wild West
• The Golden Compass
• Back To The Future III
•Sherlock Holmes

27. • The Legend of Korra
• Revolution
• Doctor Who
• The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne
Steampunk in other media:
Television

28. • Castle in The Sky
• Samurai 7
• Fullmetal Alchemist
• Steam Detectives
Steampunk in other media:
Anime & Manga

29. • Fable III
• Guns of Icarus
• Professor Layton and The
Unwound Future
•The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Steampunk in other media:
Video Games

30. • Abney Park
• The Men That Will Not Be
Blamed For Nothing
• Professor Elemental
• The Clockwork Quartet
Steampunk in other media:
Music

31. Steampunk Community &
Fashion
Author G. D. Falksen,
author of The
Ouroboros Cycle, The
Cities of Aether, and
Steampunk Fashion

32. Steampunk photo shoot at San Diego Comic Con 2009
Steampunk Conventions

33. Steampunk photo shoot at
Weekend At The Asylum
2011
Steampunk Conventions

34. Steampunks at Perth Supernova, 2010
Images used in this presentation were sourced from Creative Commons