Steampunk

How the Past Can Re-design, and Even Save, Our Future

The intricate details on a vintage, brass pocket-watch and the fine carvings on an old, wooden pipe represent an era where craftsmanship shined. It is not likely that you will find newly created objects like these in today’s world of sleek simplicity. But a science-fiction sub-genre, called Steampunk, honors and appreciates their design aesthetic by transforming these products from the past into products of the future.

Steampunk is said to be set in a post-apocalyptic future of the 19th century steam-powered era mixed with the romantic Victorian era. Materials including leather, wood, and metals were most prominently used during this time period, which inspired the distinct design aesthetic of this genre. Objects made out of these materials are combined together and re-imagined into new, functioning gizmos and gadgets.

The technologies created in this alternate world consist of anything from a typewriter to eye goggles, from a record player to a camera, all with the look and feel of them being steam-power generated. Some designs go even further by reconstructing objects into extensions of the human body (much like body armor), such as a mechanical glove. Think Iron Man meets C-3PO, but less polish and more leather.

Although this alternate future may only exist in the world of fantasy, its value of design is ever so real. Tinkering and repairing objects is an art form that requires a certain analytical skill and creative mind. To transform an existing object into something entirely new and functioning is a remarkable talent and a justice to the environment. Steampunk hits on a deeper message; a means to sustaining our future often relies on leveraging what already exists.

“Take an object / Do something to it / Do something else to it. [Repeat.]” — Jasper Johns

This mentality can be seen through other various works of art and installations. American artist Jasper Johns once noted, “Take an object / Do something to it / Do something else to it. [Repeat.]” He would recycle images and recreate them. Sustainability provocateur, Leyla Acaroglu, showcased her philosophy on how there should be a stronger emphasis on repairing objects than on creating new ones from scratch through an interactive installation called The Repair Workshop.

Whether it’s recycling an image or repairing a broken phone, these ideals of revamping are comparable to the ideals in the futuristic world of Steampunk. In order to make real change for our future, this methodology should be translated and adopted into the blueprints of today’s designs.

Why not innovate for the future by taking a glimpse into our past?