Epic Old Computers

For the most part, today's computers become obsolete within the span of just a few years. But at the least some of the obsolete ones look pretty cool! And thus, I've arranged this gallery of epic old-school computers.

The Jacquard Loom, invented c. 1801. Not technically a computer, but it used a lot of the same technology as the computers that came after it. 

And what steampunk computer gallery would be complete without a difference engine or two. This here is a modern production of the Analytical Engine, the second of two computing devices invented by Charles Babbage. In 1823, ten years before this one was designed, Babbage designed the Difference Engine, which inspired the popular steampunk novel of the same name.  

My personal favorite, the Mark 1. This showed up in the 1940's, so it's technically past the more typical steampunk era, but it's just way too awesome to leave out of this gallery. Deal with it. 

All right, this one is a TV prop, not a functioning computer, but it still looks pretty cool.  This one is from the set of LOST, based on the styles of computers in the late 20th century.
>: I miss that show.

Once they started being mass produced, computers, like so many other things we live with, have turned into dull gray boxes. The good news is that a dull gray box could also serve as a blank canvas--the internet is filled with epic steampunk computer mods. Modern functionality meets old-school aesthetic. I like the steampunk future. :)

Newsprint Nail Art Tutorial

I've always wanted to do those fancy nail polish designs, but, clumsy as I  am, I normally just ended up with giant blobs on my fingernails. And then I found this tutorial. It's easy, requires little skill and few supplies, and actually turns out looking pretty good. It's a bit more time consuming than a solid color polish, but maybe I'm just impatient.

Book Review: Who Could That Be at This Hour?

When I was a young cog-ling, I had a borderline-creepy-obsessive love for Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. In fact, it was in withdrawal after the end of the series that I found steampunk as a whole--looking for something similar to read. Even as I outgrew the books, some repressed part of my mind has always wished that Mr. Snicket/Daniel Handler would write something for my own age group.

Why We Broke Up came out around a year ago, and I eagerly devoured the elegant, poetry-like writing, only to turn the final page with a sense of disappointment  Sure, it was a very good work of ultra-realism, but I couldn't help but wonder a few things: Where are the mysterious fires? Where are the secret organisations? Where's the freaking plot? Isn't there supposed to be something more interesting than an egotistical jock cheating on his girlfriend? And for that matter, what are hippies doing in the twenty-first century?

 Thus, when I first saw Who Could That be at This Hour? I actually passed it by, figuring I'd just wait for it to come out in libraries. Sure, it looked like it had a plot, but it also looked like a book to childish for I, a self-conscious teenager, to be purchasing in public. If not for the generosity of a friend's Christmas gifts, I wouldn't have discovered this little pile of awesomeness. I warn you now that this review will be very much biased, as I read it in a joyous state of nostalgia.

The Plot:
Lemony Snicket, a twelve year old boy in training for a rather mysterious organisation, is dispatched to a small seaside town to investigate the apparent theft of a small statue, which, by the way, is described as resembling a rather vicious seahorse. But, he soon comes to wonder, is it really a theft? If not, why would such an incident be faked, and who, in such a secretive little town, can be trusted? *cue dramatic music*

The Good Stuff:
Not only did it turn out to be a book by my favorite childhood author, but an actually prequel to my favorite childhood book series. The quirky writing and glorious historical anachronisms are indeed left in place, with the overall mood being changed to more of a film-noir-esque mystery. One will discover such small details as gramophones, typewriters, and emo librarians all in one book.

For those who where left wondering at the end of ASOUE, some of the dangling questions left over from that do seem to be moving towards answers. Even so, just about every page left me guessing about some new mystery or another. By no means was this plot even remotely predictable.

The Bad Stuff:
There wasn't really anything I found unbearably annoying about this book, but, once again, I'm most definitely biased.

The readers of this book will be required to create their own suspension of disbelief--it isn't really science fiction or fantasy, but there are plenty of outrageous and silly details that could detract from the realism, and may, to readers who are uncreative and/or not raised on Snicket's work may find them distracting.

If I may nit-pick, I will say that I would have liked to see more of the characters from A Series of Unfortunate Events. The book will stand just fine on its own, but as an avid reader of its companion series, I kept wishing more more of the old characters I know and love to come popping up, only to find, for the most part, passing mentions of a few familiar names.

On a bigger note, the ending was just plain strange. The plot built up tremendously, but, after looking forward to an epic confrontation with the mysterious villain, I found myself finishing the book without really encountering anything that seemed like a marked climax. Maybe there was one and I just didn't notice--which is entirely possible, knowing myself--but I felt a little cheated at its absence.

The Verdict:
Yes, it did, in fact, turn out to be a kids' book--but a damn good one. Reading it brought back plenty of good memories for me, but even if you haven't read ASOUE, I think it's worthwhile to give it a read, since, on the whole, it's a fun and exciting mystery story. There is, of course, a chance that the latter books of this series will eventually jump the shark into the zombie-like state of repetition that seems to happen when authors do the same thing for too long.  As of right now, however, it doesn't seem to be heading in that direction, and I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for the sequel.

Electro-Swing Music!

I stumbled upon this genre while wandering around on Youtube a while ago, and my bass-player self went into a joyous frenzy at the idea of remixed swing music. Moreover, it's based around the eclectic blending of old and new that lies at the heart of steampunk. I've posted a large and rather long mix as an intro, but if you're looking for more, Parov Stelar, Caravan Palace, and Groovejuice are all excellent electro-swing bands.

Surprise Steampunk Fashion!

I came across these banners while waiting at the Keflavic International Airport in Iceland. I'm not quite sure what the steampunk theme has to do with the airport, but I'm not complaining, certainly.

Tire Recycling

            While I was in Detroit, my group’s duties included picking up tires from various alleyways in the city. We came back with a semi-truck full.

            As part of Cass’s Green Industries, the tires were cut into strips and woven into rubber mats, which is what I spent that afternoon doing. While, for numerous reasons, I can’t post a tutorial on how to make them, I thought this was an interesting sort of upcycling that might be of interest.

I'm Back!

            Imagine, if you will, the dieselpunk Land of Cars. Its main industry is auto production, so factories are everywhere, the society is divided between executives and workers, and everything is owned by either General Motors or Ford.

            However, the Land of Cars has recently had a strange apocalypse in which the majority of its population has mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind houses, possessions, and, of course, cars. The remaining people now live amidst the abandonment and decay.

            What we have left is modern day Detroit, Michigan, where I spent the last week volunteering with  Cass Community Social Services.While I could—and probably will—write on for days about all the stuff I did and people I met there, I’ll start with something fairly simple: this statue I found in a park by the riverfront. Doesn't it look like it just landed from outer space?

Last Exile

            I’m going to be nerdy today and talk about anime. Last Exile, to be specific, which is one of my favorite steampunk stories of all time. Plot-wise it’s fairly basic—two ordinary young pilots getting caught up in a planet-wide rebellion against an authoritarian empire—but it’s a story well-told, and don’t even get me started on the animation and world design…

            I’ve posted episode three, since the first two are of lower quality than the majority of the series and have little to do with the overall plot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DiUQF1LUXU