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What Is Steampunk? Definition, Origins, & Examples


Published on 2025-03-05 20:22:29 - MSN
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  • The other day, I was watching a movie, and my wife asked me what genre it was supposed to be, and I had the hardest time describing it.

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction and fantasy that merges Victorian-era aesthetics with advanced steam-powered technology and alternate history settings. Originating in the late 1980s, it was inspired by the works of authors like H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, who envisioned fantastical machines in a Victorian setting. The term "steampunk" was coined by author K.W. Jeter in 1987 as a playful reference to cyberpunk, highlighting its retro-futuristic nature. Steampunk culture has since expanded into fashion, art, and lifestyle, characterized by elements like brass goggles, corsets, top hats, and intricate clockwork mechanisms. It often explores themes of rebellion against industrial oppression, the romance of technology, and the blending of historical and speculative elements. Examples include the film "Wild Wild West," the video game "BioShock Infinite," and the anime "Steamboy," all of which feature steam-powered technology in a Victorian or Wild West setting.

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