What is Steampunk? It's a term the refers to the collision of the genteel Victorian Age and the ambitious Industrial Age during the 1880's and '90's. The times were filled with promise and fanciful ideas, some of which actually worked.
It was a period that spawned dangerous expeditions plus amateur chemists and inventors with labs in their homes or barns.
It you can't quite get the picture, think of TV shows like the Wild, Wild West aired in the 60's or the kitschy Warehouse 13 today, where strange objects and artifacts from the past are stored.
In the movies, Back the the Future is a classic that has Steampunk underpinnings. More current movies like The Prestige and The Illusionist create amazing inventions to make their illusions seem truly magical. Oh yes, Robert Downey, Jr., and Jude Law reveal another glimpse of the times in the Sherlock Holmes movies.
Wikipedia states that Steampunk, "incorporates elements of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, horror, and speculative fiction." It's clear the fanciful novels of the day by authors such as H. G. Wells and Jules Verne have more to do with the Steampunk's appeal than actual historic fact.
People were obsessed with flight and being an aeronaut elevated the social status of brave men and wannabes wearing aeronaut clothing.
Fashionistas who love the era find or create clothing and hunt down accessories such as the goggles that symbolized the steam train era.
On Friday, July 20, watch for Steampunk fanciers in all sorts of costumes enjoying the evening walking through the historic district. We're told some folks in Dallas will be in town that night with the kind of strange and wonderful fashions that will turn your head.
We are not anticipating any actual time travelers in town, though.
Some interesting links:
Steampunk Fashions book
Women's clothing
Men's clothing
