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Genre

Steampunk

Speculative and Fantastic Fiction

Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retro futuristic technology and aesthetics prominently inspired by nineteenth century industrial, steam powered machinery and design, blending Victorian era industrial imagery with speculative fiction elements.

Facts
Place of Origin
United States 1
Notable Example
The Difference Engine (1990) by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling 1
Defining Trait
Anachronistic, retro-futuristic technology styled after 19th-century Victorian visions of the future 1
Defining Trait
Setting and World 1
Connections

Features Author

James Blaylock, Authors
Source James Blaylock (Wikipedia)

Form Of Genre

Science Fiction, Genres

Subgenre Of

Science Fiction, Genres
Source Steampunk (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases

Originated In

United States

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.

Sources
1. Steampunk (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Second paragraph, opening sentence
    Steampunk features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, distinguishing it from Neo-Victorianism, and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.
  • History section, Difference Engine sentence
    William Gibson and Bruce Sterling's novel The Difference Engine (1990) is often credited with bringing about widespread awareness of steampunk.
  • History section, K. W. Jeter coinage sentence
    It was coined by science fiction author K. W. Jeter, who was trying to find a general term for works by Tim Powers (The Anubis Gates, 1983), James Blaylock (Homunculus, 1986), and himself (Morlock Night, 1979, and Infernal Devices, 1987).
  • Lead paragraph, defining sentence
    Steampunk is a subgenre of science fiction that incorporates retro-futuristic technology and aesthetics prominently inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery and design.
  • Subgenre Of: Science Fiction, Lead paragraph
    is a subgenre of science fiction
View the Source
James Blaylock (Wikipedia)
Features Author: James Blaylock, Lead [in-genre]
Quote, Features Author: James Blaylock, Lead [in-genre]
one of the pioneers of the steampunk genre of science fiction
View the Source
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