Steampunk R&D Features
News: Plastic? Steampunks Don't Use Plastic! But Wait…Victorians Most Certainly Did
We frequently associate plastics with the modern era, starting at around the 1950s with the prevalence of bakelite. However, for all of you "you can't use plastic in Steampunk" purists out there, I have bad news for you:
How To: Steampunk Your iPhone! How to Add Your Favorite Art to Apple's Boring Back Glass Panel
Jake von Slatt of The Steampunk Workshop kept breaking the rear glass panel on his iPhone. So, he ended up making his own gorgeous replacement out of brass to replace the standard Apple logo ones who kept getting. The only problem was that it made his signal strength super weak, so he figured out how to transfer the etching onto a glass back. Here's the basic rundown of how he accomplished this feat...
News: A Do-It-Yourself Singing Tesla Coil Kit
I happened across this in my Steampunk Facebook group, and I had to share. A company called oneTesla is running a Kickstarter campaign for a DIY singing Tesla coil.
Steampunk R&D Podcast 01: Thomas Willeford on Creating His Empire
Today, on our first episode of Steampunk Research and Development, we'll be interviewing Thomas Willeford, owner and operator of Brute Force Leather. Thomas is a man of many talents, and has worked in a vast array of fields. His Steampunk work can be seen in his book, Steampunk Gear and Gadgets, as well as on the television show Castle. Thomas is also one of the creative consultants on the upcoming television show Lantern City.
How To: 7 Things Every Steampunk Should Know for Making It Through Airport Security Stress-Free
There was recently a case that came to national attention where a gentleman was arrested at an airport for having a watch that looked like a bomb, among other things. As it came out, the watch was, in fact, not a bomb, and the man was just an artist who was probably trying to make a statement of some sort. Well, that message was lost amongst the hail of people shouting that either he had been stupid for bringing that watch on the plane and so deserved to be arrested, or that it's a free count...
News: Why Steampunks Shouldn't Buy iPhones
This may seem like an odd subject, because what do Steampunks and iPhones even have to do with each other? Actually, more than you might think!
How To: Find Inspiration for Your Steampunk Projects
Once you have the skills to bring your ideas to life, the hardest part is coming up with ideas. What do you do when you can't think of something to make? What happens when your well of inspiration runs dry?
News: What Adventure Time Would Look Like if It Was Steampunk
Adventure Time is one of the best TV shows for kids that's currently on the air. It's so good that it has real appeal for adults, too. Just do a Google image search for "Adventure Time costume" and you'll see what I mean.
Steamdown: How I Made My Liquid-Cooled Steampunk Rifle Prop
I know, "Steamdown" conjures images of a hoedown, but "Steampunk prop breakdown" is a bit of a mouthful, I thought.
Arthrobots: Steampunk Insects on the Loose!
A man named Tom Hardwidge has taken it upon himself to create an army of steampunk insects from a bunch of different found materials, including bullets and pocket watches. He's made a ton of them—and they're really awesome. They're modeled after real insects, too, and aren't just fantasy creations. His website has them all categorized by species, with clever, robot-inspired names. His arthrobots are for sale, too, so if you're interested in owning your very own horde of steampunk insects, you...
News: What Is Steampunk?
So I have been wondering this for a while now. What exactly is steampunk? I know a little bit about it but I feel as thought the internet definitions can only give so much information. What do you guys think? Is steampunk a lifestyle? A fiction base? A for of a art? I think that steampunk has way more potential than people think. Share your ideas on what you think steampunk is and what you would like to see be done with it!
News: Rings with Moving Gears Are Perfect for the Steampunk in Your Life
I've heard many steampunks look at a prop and say, "but does it work?"
How To: Have a Classy Night at Home Alone
Full disclosure: I didn't create this. However, do what the picture below says, and your night will instantly become classy. Link One
How To: Steampunk Your Next Party with the Elixirator, a Truly Exquisite DIY Robotic Bartender
So, you want to throw a steampunk party and you have almost everything in place—your steampunk persona and iPhone are ready to go, and you've even got your own steampunk straight razor. What's missing? The Elixirator, that's what. The Elixirator is a steampunk cocktail-making machine by Botronics that can hold four different ingredients and mix up to ten drinks. It has a Picaxe microcontroller for a brain and was built using a lot of pieces from thrift shops. It has a plasma globe at the top ...
News: World War 1 Body Armor Was Steampunk?
I came across a really cool article about armor that the Americans wanted to use in World War I. Since it was before kevlar and modern body armor but still needed to stop bullets, they designed it to be similar to medieval armor. It looks terribly uncomfortable and ineffective. Just look at this helmet design: The flaps could be opened when not in combat.
News: Organic Armor for Steampunks?
Organic Armor is a company run by Paul Hersey which makes... organic armor. Their Facebook page is a really awesome place to get some steampunk inspiration. Check out some of their work:
News: Steampunk Spider-Man and Villains
These are some really cool sketches of what Spider-man might look like if it was drawn in steampunk style. More pictures are available over at io9.
News: The Definitive Steampunk Guide to Sex Is in the Works
I guess it's a sex-themed night, but a few well-known people in the steampunk world are trying to put together a "Steampunk's Guide to Sex", including plain Victorian sexual practices as well as the sort of modern information one would want on a modern movement like steampunk.
News: Why LEGO's New Monster Fighters Screams Steampunk DIY
For those who don't know, LEGO recently came out with a new line called Monster Fighters. This set is about fighting monsters, sure, but it's about fighting classic monsters in a Steampunk universe. Just look at this promotional picture from the LEGO site: That LEGO dude (properly called a minifig) is wearing a vest, pocket watch, bowler hat, and a mean smirk. Not to mention that he has a robotic leg. You won't find the word "steampunk" anywhere in this marketing campaign, but I call Steampun...
News: My Interpretation of a Tesla Power Generator
Hello, I'm new to this group. Thought you might like to see one of my latest creations—my interpretation of a Tesla power generator. Tesla Power Generator Painting by James Christopher Hill.
News: Steampunk Lara Croft Cosplay from Tomb Raider
Even most non-video gamers know who Lara Croft is, thanks to Angelina Jolie. The movies were pretty awful, but even I'd go see the next one if it looked like this: The photos are from LJinto. And the character design is from Tess Fowler.
How To: Not Be Steampunk
Many people have spent many hours discussing how to "properly" be Steampunk. Well, I turned it around and asked myself, "How can you not be Steampunk?"
News: Fully-Articulated Steampunk Leg
I came across this leg piece on the internet made by Skinz-N-Hydez and I just had to share it. I see a lot of steampunk arms on the internet, but I don't often see legs. This one is really well done, and I love the construction and design.
News: Shark Jumps Steampunk
Shark jumps Steampunk, experts unsure of the meaning. Cape Town -- In an unprecedented move today, a Shark have jumped a steampunk couple as they were attempting to work on their hobby steamboat.
Auto Polo: The Most Steampunk Sport That Isn't Steampunk
In the early 20th century, some people decided that it would be a great idea to play polo with cars. Sounds like a great idea, right? It was, and it wasn't.
News: Awesome Steampunk Portal Gun
This Steampunk portal gun (from the game Portal) was recently featured on Kotaku, and is really, really beautiful. It's rare that you see such refined woodworking in steampunk props. Now if only it worked...
News: Steampunk Elevator Erupts from Underground
It's actually an art installation made to look like an elevator was erupting from the ground, or perhaps as though it had fallen from a great height.
News: Why Andrew Jackson Was Terrifyingly Crazy
President Andrew Jackson was a pretty rough guy. He routinely fought in duels, and even used to beat people with a stick. That's not very funny.
News: CustomMade Steampunk Bicycle
This bicycle was found through website CustomMade, which is sort of like an Etsy for people who will custom make things to your specifications rather than selling things they've already made. If only I had the money...
News: Steampunk Is More Accurately Vernian, Not Victorian!
ATTN: HUMOUR ALERT Jules Verne was an author of immense imagination, who had a profound effect on speculative fiction, whereas Victoria was a stodgy & pampered royal who led a sheltered and traditional existence. Boring, frumpy, grumpy royal! (Photo from The Guardian, UK)
How To: 15 Tutorials for Steampunk Photoshopping
I'm not any good with Photoshop myself, but this article on Designer Daily has links to fifteen different steampunk-based Photoshop tutorials. Judging by the images of the finished products, they look really amazing!
News: Steampunk Surfboard
I made a Steampunk Surfboard recently, just for the fun of it. It took quite a bit of time, but I really like the end result. If interested, you can check out my blog for more pics and info on how I made it.
News: Mainstream Comic Strip About Steampunk
You know that steampunk is mainstream when they even talk about it in comic strips. At least they got the punk in steampunk right. I don't know why anyone would be mad if their child was a steampunk. All the steampunks I know are really nice and aren't into subversive stuff or anything. We just dress up nice and do things like drink tea.
News: Get Steamdrunk with Steampunk... Wine?
It wasn't that long ago that we started seeing a variety of beers catering to the Steampunk crowd, so why not some wine?
News: Steampunk Boba Fett Becomes a T-Shirt
Steampunk Boba Fett, aka John Strangeway, has become a fixture in the steampunk world. A quick Google search will turn up tons of images of him.
Steampunk R&D Podcast 02: Joey Marsocci on Professional Steampunking
This week on the Steampunk Research and Development Podcast, our guest is Joey Marsocci, better known to the world as Dr. Grymm. He's a full-time, professional Steampunk maker, and is the owner and operator of Dr. Grymm Laboratories. He's written several books and has worked as a designer at companies such as Hasbro and Disney. In fact, he worked with Disney to design the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attractions for both Paris and Tokyo Disney parks.
News: Writing Is a Lost Art, but Not with This Steampunk Pen
Hardly anyone writes by hand anymore, but I would consider starting again if I had this pen.
Steampunk R&D Podcast 04: Matt Silva on How Artists Can Succeed in the Film Industry
In this episode of Steampunk Research and Development, our guest is Matt Silva, the co-founder and art director of Penny Dreadful Productions. While his current love is producing, Silva is also responsible for bringing to life some amazing creations in PDP's Remnant line, which we talk about on the show. Silva, who supports himself entirely from his work as an artist and a producer, talks about how he got to where he is today and offers advice for anyone interested in following in his steel-p...
Steampunk R&D Podcast 06: Thomas Willeford Behind the Scenes of Steampunk Reality Television
This week, another guest returns to our Steampunk R&D show for the second time, Thomas Willeford. In our very first podcast, Thomas talked to us about creating his empire; this time we most notably talk about his recent appearance on the Science Channel's program Odd Folks Home, in an episode entitled "Blow Off Some Steampunk". Thomas Willeford is the owner and operator of Brute Force Studios, and has been responsible for some of Steampunk's most recognizable props and accessories, such as th...
How To: Print Your Emails in Style with This Steampunk Tape "Ticker Machine"
Last year, Instructables user Horatius.Steam created Dr. Brain, a small computer connected to a model brain that can tell stories and have Skype conversations. But one thing it couldn't do was print, so to solve that problem, he came up with this awesome Steampunk "Ticker Machine". A wooden base and glass dome make up the housing for a thermal printer, and the driver is hidden in a paper tube that's painted to look like wood. A slot at the bottom feeds the paper out from under the dome and a ...