"Steampunk"

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:49 pm

Steampunk Brings Victorian Flair to the 21st Century (NPR article)

"Imagine a computer monitor with polished brass fittings, a laptop equipped with a Morse code key or a document scanner nestled within an embossed leather casing."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... d=18710895

"Steampunks" website:

http://steampunkworkshop.com/

Website for the Kinetic Steam Works, also mentioned in the article:

http://www.kineticsteamworks.org/

Now that those of you who think Thomas is a plague, argue over whether something is a locomotive or a train, and is a Birney really a Birney if it doesn't have a safety brake valve; are hanging over your keyboards like landlubbers on a ship in a hurricane, I ask the rest...

Might this be another sector of the population that railway and industrial preservation can reach out to? Another way to bring in younger folks with no recollection of these things growing up? A way to "have fun" while hopefully at the same time working in some educational material? A way to keep us more "relevant" in today's society?

(Dons flameproof suite and ducks while waiting to see what life in a locomotive firebox is like.)

Gary Gray · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:57 pm

James, I think this is a great idea. This is something from "the art community" that I actually find interesting. I wouldn't mind one of those computers myself

whodom · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:25 pm

There's actually a whole sub-genre of science fiction that's considered "steam punk". These gadgets are sort of an off-shoot from that.

A good book in this field is "the Difference Engine" by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling. It's been a long time since I read it, but the story is based on the premise that the British empire developed advanced mechanical computers in the early part of the 19th century. Imagine a mechanical computer that fills a multiple story building (steam-powered of course!). In the story, these computers allowed many other technological advancements (such as steam-powered race cars in ~1850).

The movie "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" is another good example of steam punk.

Cool stuff.

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:34 pm

whodom wrote:

There's actually a whole sub-genre of science fiction that's considered "steam punk". These gadgets are sort of an off-shoot from that.

I believe one railway museum has already benefited from "steampunk." The B&O Railway Museum's "William Mason" was restored to operational condition for the filming of the movie "The Wild Wild West"; itself a steampunk movie of sorts. Any others?

http://members.aol.com/depot88/newindex.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_steampunk_works

Aarne H. Frobom · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:35 pm

I don't know how many fans there are of this science-fiction/cartoon genre, but it's definitely out there and so it's worth a shot.

The only test population I have to go by is my son Erik, who has at least a slight fondness for this sort of thing. Erik expresses only polite interest in PM 1225 and railroading, but he happily builds fanciful Victorian-style steam-powered science-fiction devices out of Lego parts. I've been reluctant to encourage this by borrowing any of the Japanimation cartoons with this theme, but I might do it if I don't think the violence will warp his little sister, who doesn't need any more encouragement in the martial arts.

Kids who are exposed to this stuff frequently go looking for the real thing as young adults. (I've still got the Lionel trains and plastic `62 Lincoln model to prove it.) I don't know offhand how a museum can trade on "steampunk," but it's worth some more thought. Temporary exhibits? Special events or train schedules? And I love the name.

(Of course, if you have history, you don't need comic books. The real Victorians were pretty adventurous in their use of steam power. Few people know that the Brits had steam-powered bus service in operation on the roads in 1848, before their railroad network was mature, and 50 years before the Germans and French invented cars. Too bad they threw that technological lead away.)

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:45 pm

I think some stationary steam sites in Britian have hosted live steam and toy steam meets; it would be great to have someone bring something like these to a meet:

http://www.crabfu.com/steamtoys/

I think what the "Kinetic Steam Works" hosts is something akin to the Renaissance festivals hosted by some Texas towns, but rather with a Victorian/steam theme. None of these festivals make any attempt at portraying reality, they are instead a bunch of families/adults out having a good time:

http://www.renaissancefestival.com/

Dave · **Posted:** Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:01 pm

Thanks James - I heard a small part of the NPR program yesterday afternoon while having my wife talking in one ear and the cat into the other while I was cooking dinner. Hadn't got around to tracking it down yet. What potential for events.........that would bring in younger gearheads.........but at what cost?

We need to hear from Zahrt about this one.

dave

mikefrommontana · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:37 am

You should go and rent the Japanese anime movie "Steamboy". This is a film by Yamizaki (sic?) who has numerous other films (distributed by Disney) that contain railroads and assorted interesting steampunk technology elements.
"Steamboy" is about the son of an engineer who has a device of incredible energy that is sought by the arch nemisis who has a floating city--see Stephenson (including the steam powered buses--sort of), London frozen and a bunch of other rather "quaint" stuff. It is a very fun movie and does make you wonder what if Britain hadn't caved in to public pressure and let the steam lorries stay on the roads........

Aarne H. Frobom wrote:

I've been reluctant to encourage this by borrowing any of the Japanimation cartoons with this theme, but I might do it if I don't think the violence will warp his little sister, who doesn't need any more encouragement in the martial arts.
<snip>
(Of course, if you have history, you don't need comic books. The real Victorians were pretty adventurous in their use of steam power. Few people know that the Brits had steam-powered bus service in operation on the roads in 1848, before their railroad network was mature, and 50 years before the Germans and French invented cars. Too bad they threw that technological lead away.)

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 2:08 am

My wife was formerly employed in the video game industry, a nephew works for Pixar. They use the term “Steam Gothic” to describe the steamy, industrial, gear driven, machinery rich environment used in movies and games.

Generally “steam gothic” is image and atmosphere rich, but reality poor.

On the other hand, at least one Disney-Pixar animator has a narrow gauge steam loco. The Pixar studios includes a bridge between landings, which is rich in false rivits… supposedly Steve Jobs when inspecting the building, while under construction thought there were too few rivits, and ordered more added.

When I look at this it argues for the live steam experience with attention to details over static displays if we are to reach this audience. I suspect the English railroad preservation movement, with depot gardens, and such is much more in keeping with the idea of the complete environment which is being portrayed.

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

I first encountered them at SXSW last year. I think I posted some links here, I'll check to see if they are different.

These kids are exactly right to bring over to the big stuff. Much of the work is very good and requires the kind of base knowledge steam railroad mentors could easily build upon.

Rob

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:02 pm

Aarne H. Frobom wrote:

The only test population I have to go by is my son Erik, who has at least a slight fondness for this sort of thing. Erik expresses only polite interest in PM 1225 and railroading, but he happily builds fanciful Victorian-style steam-powered science-fiction devices out of Lego parts. I've been reluctant to encourage this by borrowing any of the Japanimation cartoons with this theme, but I might do it if I don't think the violence will warp his little sister, who doesn't need any more encouragement in the martial arts.

Aarne;

If you don't have one of the steam toys made by Mamod, Wilesco, or Jensen (just to name a few), I would highly recommend one. You can still buy them new; they also come up for sale on e-bay fairly often.

I picked up a pair of Mamod Steam Rollers and a Mamod Steam Wagon on e-bay several years ago, and am so glad I did. They have brought a lot of joy me and my boys; we ran one of them on the kitchen floor just last night.

I also have an object lesson I teach at church with them. I taught it again this week after one of the girls asked me when I was going to bring it back. I must say the girls in this particular group enjoyed watching it run and blowing the whistle as much or more than the boys did.

They would also seem like a great thing to have to bring for a presentation or in a display table setting. I still remember the Jensen stationary engine one of college professors brought to class in college.

I agree with Randy that any such appeal would work best with the live steam experience and with attention to details over static displays. If a working steam locomotive is not available; perhaps a traction engine or other working steam engine could be brought on site. I have a neat Quicktime movie sent by one of my contributors of a steam roller running around and trading whistle blows with a train at a tourist railroad in France.

robertmacdowell · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 1:17 pm

survivingworldsteam wrote:

Might this be another sector of the population that railway and industrial preservation can reach out to? Another way to bring in younger folks with no recollection of these things growing up?

I think so. Geeks are out of the closet now that we can make good money at it. We love technology but many of us disdain its modern aesthetic (which would be more aptly described as a LACK of one.) To a geek (this one anyway), so much our lives are virtual and simulated, that you need something real. Something that reflects the technological genius of times past works just fine.

Is it not steampunk to start up up an actual Victorian era streetcar with no more effort than it takes to start a modern car, and travel on down the line powered by hypermodern windmills ripped right out of sci-fi?

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 3:13 pm

... or if you are in the San Francisco area, a visit from the "Neverwas Haul":

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2007/0 ... erwas.html

I assume it is steam powered; that was the original intention in the design:

http://laughingsquid.com/the-neverwas-h ... undraiser/

EDIT: It isn't right now, but they are working on it:

http://etheremporium.pbwiki.com/Neverwas%20Haul

survivingworldsteam · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 7:03 pm

My last post on this subject for now, but an important one.

Zachary Rukstela of the "Kenetic Steam Works" posted the following to a SmokeStak forum; I don't think he will mind me quoting him here:

Quote:

I’m on the middle-younger side of the steam community and I know we all need to encourage new blood. I’ve been a volunteer in the Engine Department of the S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien for 8 years now http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Jeremiah_O'Brien
and nowhere is the need for the next generation to step up and learn the art of steam more apparent. (we sadly just had another amazing crew member recently pass)

New interest in steam is a great thing, but we all understand the level of respect and attention to detail one needs when working with explosive equipment. No one who volunteers with KSW is aloud near our boilers without first taking the Steam Safety Class @ the Roots of Motive Power up in Willits, CA. They have to demonstrate full competency, trust, and respect, BEFORE they are left alone with any boilers or equipment. Additionally every fire-tube boiler that KSW operates has a current Cal OSHA permit. Everyone is required to read the full “Medina Tragedy” report, discuss it, and understand why it's so important to not “half ass” ANYTHING with a steam boiler. KSW will not become the next studied tragedy on my watch.

What concerns me as this whole “Steampunk” thing has started to gain “traction” (pun intended) is an increasing number of backyard warriors with “boilers” and not what I would consider a comfortable level of respect for what they’re doing. I know of projects out there right now that I wouldn’t get anywhere near. I’m worried about the guy down the street just slapping something together, putting on a funny hat, and killing somebody.

I’m encouraged when I talk to many of you about how our steam community, “old school” if you will, has a very high level of commitment to steam safety. We owe it to our passion (or sickness if you prefer) to help others outside of our community appreciate what they’re getting themselves into and the level of commitment they need to have. When a steam accident happens, it hurts us all regardless of what hat you ware.

He points out another side to this "Steampunk" movement. For years, we have worried about the next guy with a steam tractor or the next tourist railroad with the badly maintained boiler causing an explosion and shuting down all "hobby" steam boilers as a result.

However, the next major accident may not be one of these, but some guy with a homemade steam engine blowing up at a "Steampunk" festival. Not only could these folks be a source of "new blood"; but we also owe it to them and the steam hobby movement to protect them from themselves and to help them to work safely and "by the book".

As I mentioned before, it could be a benefital relationship all the way around -- we get young, mechanically minded, often urban kids with no knowledge or recollection of steam power in their lifetimes to come on board, while at the same time, we can help them to be safe and to make their "dreams come true." (Zachary pointed out that the "Neverwas Haul" is hydraulic powered; but when it broke down, the steam tractor owned by the Kenetic Steam Works was used to tow it around.)

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:09 pm

Quote:

You should go and rent the Japanese anime movie "Steamboy". This is a film by Yamizaki (sic?) who has numerous other films (distributed by Disney) that contain railroads and assorted interesting steampunk technology elements.

You are confusing 2004's "Steamboy" by director Katsuhiro Otomo (Japanese title "Suchimuboi") with the vaguely similar "Hauru no ugoku shiro" or "Howl's Moving Castle", released the same year, by director Hayao Miyazaki, the "Japanese Walt Disney". "Steamboy" is about the conflicts of the "new" Industrial Revolution; "Howl's Moving Castle" features the huge mansion-like monstrosity on mechanical legs.

Both are highly recommended as incredible works of animation and story-telling, as well as themes that will resonate with active participants here.

But, for goddesses' sake, stay away from "Midnight Sleazy Train" unless you want a truly innovative (if probably illegal in your jurisdiction) means to raise ridership on your railroad:

http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc ... s/2530.php
(Content at above site may not be safe for work/family computers, though at best R-rated. You have been warned.)

(Why, yes, I do help run the nation's largest Japanese-anime convention; why do you ask? <:-))