Datamancer's latest creation has swept the internet, and also revived several "what is steampunk?" arguments. I do like the term "electro-anachronism," however. The more I read these sorts of semantics debates, the more I'm reminded of the old days on usenet with alt.gothic - is XYZ goth? Can ABC be goth? What IS goth? Am I not goth if I like EFG? (What's really fun is that I find myself running into alt.gothic regulars in today's steampunk communities. There must be some connection. Someone should do a study.)

 

A robot from eighty years ago used inflatable rubber tubes for movement; it's been updated with a pneumatic system and still works!

 

Meanwhile, some gorgeous jellyfish and mantra ray robots are fwipping about the planet.  Oooh, ahhh.

 

As a direct result of Freakangels, I'm now keeping up with Warren Ellis's website, and even checking out his Twitter updates. (I do have a Twitter account, but like my Facebook profile, it's pretty minimal...)

 

You still have time to drive Jeff and Ann VanderMeer bonkers by making them draw blimps, by the way.

 

And finally, here are some random steampunky goods found around the web. I think the Otokibako has some great potential for decoration and alterations.  The Raku Ray Guns are technically extraterrestial in origin, but they look as if they could fit in quite well in Victorian battles. Black Phoenix has a "steamworks research facility" lab these days which manufactures steampunky scents, and even though I rolled my eyes at first, I have to admit I'm curious about "Smokestack," which apparently smells like "creosote, coal, and industrial waste." Really? Do tell!

Is everyone reading FreakAngels now? Oh, good.

 

Anyone worth his/her steampunk salt (?) knows to give thanks to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells for their inspiring stories. One inspiree was Walt Disney, and this weblog entry looks into just how much the 19th-meets-25th century ideal influenced early Disneyland.

 

If you're more drawn to the 19th century end of the neovictorian spectrum, the 19th Century Shop is definitely worth a visit. (They're looking for a archivist, too.  What an absolutely wonderful job that would be!)

 

For the more futuristic among us, the Center for Responsible Nanotechnology is the place for you. And in the present day, we have some beautiful Stirling Engines powered by candles!

 

(And lastly, for the retro-minded who don't care much about steampunk, I give you The Old Robots, full of Omnibots and other awesome mechanized buddies.)