14.2.2010 by Traveler.

Modern technology and the ætherweb be praised, here’s a tiny selection of Steampunk Music I can recommend:

Please enjoy!

Geschrieben in Technomantic Stuff, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

13.2.2010 by Traveler.

Ah, the joys of tor.com, they had (I guess I mentioned) a Cthulhu month and lots of art flooded in, here’s one of my favourites:

Geschrieben in Cthulhuiana, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

12.2.2010 by Traveler.

Today in 1935 USS Macon was lost to accident. She was the last of the giant airships like the Hindenburg to be used by the US Navy and the last flying aircraft carrier, with her complement of six Sparrowhawk biplanes.

Today we remember USS Macon.

And also the Sparrowhawk, the only parasite fighter to actually see regular service.

Geschrieben in History, Technomantic Stuff, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

11.2.2010 by Traveler.

Today in 1847 the most famous and iconic inventor of the industrial age was born, Thomas Alva Edison:

Although not the invenor of the light-bulb (a common misconception), he greatly improved its design. He is rightly credited with the invention of the phonograph and the carbon microphone amongst many other things. He is also one of the most beloved inventors ofthe Steampunk genre, possibly only eclipsed by Nikola Tesla.

Edison also features prominently in the backstory of the steampunk role playing game Space 1889 as the inventor of the Ætherflyer which made space exploration in this setting possible.

Geschrieben in History, Science, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

10.2.2010 by Traveler.

170 years ago today, the wedding of the Victorian Age took place:

Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg.

Geschrieben in History, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

10.2.2010 by Traveler.

Steampunk is truely a global phenomenon.Right now it seems to be somewhat concentrated in the US, Canada and Europe west of the Oder River. It happens relatively in infrequently that one finds sites or meets steampunks fro, other places.

All the more delighted am I today to bring a number of central (formerly eastern) European sites to your attention, from the Czech Republic, and another one, truely from the east, from Russia:

Czech Steampunk by Deever

Czech Steampunk by Příběhy Impéria

Steampunker.ru - Russian Steampunk

No, I am absolutely unable to tell you what is being said/narrated/discussed on the respective sites, I neither read nor speak Czech or Russian. I am also only vaguely familiar with the Cyrilic Alpabeth.

However, images are international and thuis I express my thanks to Steampunker.ru and steal the following marvelous Zeppelin/Airship from their site to feature it on mine:

16th May 2010: I have just been informed that the artist behind this marvelous image is Vadim Voitekhovich, please check out his site at http://arts.in.ua/artists/woit/.

Geschrieben in General Steampunk Things | Drucken | 1 Kommentar »

9.2.2010 by Traveler.

This years Salon de locomotion aerienne, the Paris Air Show, will mark its 100th anniversary, there will be a bigger blog article on the day it starts (if I don’t forget) but for now, here are two very nice images from the first show in 1909:

Ah! My little steampunk heart ticks faster!

Geschrieben in History, Technomantic Stuff, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

8.2.2010 by Traveler.

Official Steampunk Holiday!

Jules Verne is 182 years old today, if he would still be around. Happy Birthday, Grand Old Master!

PS: This entry was written on 10th February, although I put the event on my iCal…

Geschrieben in History, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

8.2.2010 by Traveler.

I announced a while ago that I am working on my first novel, based on the diaries found elswhere on this site. Well, I am making progress here but upcomming events, i.e. moving house and, the Gods and Saint Babbage willing, fatherhood in August, might delay the completion. Thus far, I have completed seven chapters, which amounts to about one third of what I have planned.

Anyway, here is the first chapter of “To the Ends of the Earth” (the title may still change). I hope you like it. Be aware that this is Steampunk from a German perspective, most of the main characters are German officers, it is a little different from other Steampuk novels and novellas, I guess.

Thus far, I have not encountered a single piece of Steampunk literature, that was not set in an English-speaking country. I am willing to be corrected, of course.

OK, once again, I hope you enjoy what I have created, feedback, suggestions and critcism are all very welcome.

Geschrieben in Tales of the travelling steampunk, General Steampunk Things | Drucken | Keine Kommentare »

7.2.2010 by Traveler.

Yesterday we went to see the late show o the Sherlock Holmes movie. It was fun. There are, however some things in thta movie which could easily prevent it from beng fun.

I guess I start with the weak spots and finish with the best bits.

As far as I can see, there are three major flaws in this movie:

• The depiction of Holmes and Watson are relatively unfaithful regarding the original characters:
  Holmes is depicted as a half-crazed, manic  man with a tendency towards violence who engages in boxing-matches to let of steam.
  Watson is a gambler, who amonst other things bets on Holmes’ boxing matches.
• There is too much arbitrary action, pyrotechnics and violence.
• For a first adventure, the plot is simply too big, the task too grand.

Now for the good bits:

• The villain is brilliant, believable and in my oppinion the best played character.
• The movie isquite simply a lot of fun and does not take itself too seriously
• The steampunk elements: Mysticism, some weird science birdering on alchemy, a conspiracy and actually… No, this would be a spoiler
• The chemistry between the characters and between them and their respective significant other
• The camera person as a genious
• The machine at the end, such a marvelous steampunk contraption. Basically it is a clockwork bomb…
• The esthetics and imagery of the movie is simply excellent, ever single scene, every image adds up to form a beautifully dark and haunting image that finally resolves itself in:
• The possibility of a sequel

Well, if you are looking for a movie faithful to the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, skip this one. If you are looking for a fun and action-filled movie with a Cictorian setting, go see it, you won’t regret it.

Geschrieben in General Steampunk Things | Drucken | 2 Kommentare »