What Is Steampunk?
It seems like a simple question—and I’ll do my best to answer it below—but like everything in life, it’s more complicated than it first appears. Steampunk is shaped by the individuals who live it, wear it, and create within it. That said, here we go!
Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction, usually set in an anachronistic Victorian or quasi-Victorian alternate history. It’s a form of nostalgic futurism: a world where technology never moved beyond steam engines and Tesla coils. The style blends old and new, inspired by a 19th century that never quite existed—a chance to dress in ways we can’t today, embracing the beauty of the age without its moral baggage.
The term steampunk was first coined in 1987 by science fiction author K.W. Jeter, who wanted a catchy label for the retro-futurist stories he and his peers were writing. It was a playful twist on cyberpunk, but with brass goggles and steam-powered contraptions instead of digital dystopias.
Steampunk in Books and Films
Steampunk has deep literary roots. Authors like Jules Verne and H.G. Wells imagined fantastical machines and alternate futures long before the term existed. Some of their most iconic works includd;
Jules Verne: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Around the World in Eighty Days, The Mysterious Island, From the Earth to the Moon, Five Weeks in a Balloon, Robur the Conqueror
H.G. Wells: The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, The Invisible Man, First Men in the Moon
Later, writers like Tim Powers (The Anubis Gates), James Blaylock (Homunculus), and William Gibson & Bruce Sterling (The Difference Engine) helped define the genre in the 1980s and 90s. Today, authors such as Philip Pullman, China Miéville, and George Mann continue to explore steampunk themes with bold storytelling and inventive world-building.
On screen, steampunk has shown up in everything from cult classics to animated adventures. Here’s a selection of films that capture the genre’s spirit:
| Film Title | Why It’s Steampunk |
| 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) | Nautilus submarine, Victorian science fiction classic |
| The Time Machine (1960 & 2002) | Time travel with brass and gears |
| Howl’s Moving Castle (2004) | Magical steampunk fortress with whimsical design |
| Sherlock Holmes (2009 & 2011) | Victorian detective meets gadgetry and grit |
| Steamboy (2004) | Steam-powered tech in an alternate 19th-century setting |
| The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) | Literary icons in a steampunk alternate history |
| The Golden Compass (2007) | Parallel universe with airships and mechanical daemons |
| Treasure Planet (2002) | Space pirates with steampunk aesthetics |
| Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) | Underground exploration with steam-powered vehicles |
| Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004) | Art Deco meets pulp adventure and retro-futurism |
| Wild Wild West (1999) | Western steampunk with giant mechanical spiders |
| Hellboy (2004 & 2008) | Gothic steampunk elements and clockwork weaponry |
| City of Ember (2008) | Underground dystopia powered by failing steam tech |
| Van Helsing (2004) | Monster hunting with Victorian gadgetry |
| April and the Extraordinary World (2015) | Animated alternate history with steam-powered science |
| The Fabulous World of Jules Verne (1958) | Early steampunk visuals based on Verne’s stories |
| The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988) | Fantastical storytelling with steampunk flair |
| The Prestige (2006) | Rival magicians and mysterious Victorian machinery |
Even if you haven’t noticed it, steampunk influences are everywhere—in fashion, games, graphic novels and beyond.
Is Steampunk Still Popular?
After the pandemic and its restrictions, the need for fantasy feels stronger than ever. Steampunk gatherings have returned to the real world, and the enthusiasm is clear—people are eager to meet in person again, to share creativity and connection. Steampunk is only limited by our own passion, and we are passionate.
While the real Victorian era wasn’t kind to the working class or to gender equality, it was also the beginning of many fights for justice. In steampunk fiction, women often take centre stage as leaders and heroes—and rightly so.
Steampunk is an opportunity to be yourself, to celebrate difference in whatever form it takes. That, to me, is its most powerful gift. There may be conventions in what people wear, but in truth, it’s a space to do your own thing—and feel safe doing it.
Steampunk Comes in Many Flavours
There’s something for everyone:
| Style | Description |
| Victorian Steampunk | Set during the early industrial revolution, with steam-powered inventions galore. |
| Pirate Steampunk | High seas adventure with airships, rogue captains, and old sea dog charm. |
| Western Steampunk | Science fiction meets the American Old West—think steam-powered saloons. |
| Medieval Steampunk | A twist on the Middle Ages, with gears and gadgetry in castles and cloisters. |
| Atomic Steampunk | A curious contradiction—where steam gives way to atomic energy, but the aesthetic remains. |
Steampunk, Storytelling, and Eddy the Artist
From the pages of books to the frames of films, steampunk continues to inspire bold storytelling and unforgettable visuals. It’s a world where imagination runs wild, where heroes wear goggles, and where every gear has a tale to tell.
That same spirit lives in the work of Eddy the Artist—a maker of curious gifts, heartfelt keepsakes, and one-of-a-kind creations. Each piece is handmade with care, blending steampunk charm with personal meaning. Whether you’re after a bespoke artwork, a quirky present, or something that simply makes you smile, Eddy brings stories to life through craft, character, and a touch of eccentric magic.
Celebrate the beautifully unconventional. Commission something unique. Let Eddy make it yours.