What is Steampunk?

I forgot where I copied these bits from, but, I like this as a description:

Steampunk is a tribute to an era when people thought big, and worked hard to make things that last. Care, artisanship and craftsmanship was put into everything that was created, unlike our disposable culture of commodity today.

The "Steam" side explores a time where we encountered concepts in our daily lives or read about things in the news that we did not have the tools to fully comprehend.
The "Punk" side is the refusal to be limited.  If you don't like something, make it yourself - your way - because you don't have to please the masses, just yourself.


Steampunk looks back upon a time when technology was still novel and romantic, and the world was still marveling at its own cleverness with childlike pride and wonder, looking hopefully toward a strange and wonderful future.

Reflect on the past and use it to add color and whimsey to the present.

Adapt the processes of the past to create new things from old.

Anything is possible, and science can be twisted to meet one's own ends.

Modern utilitarian objects can be modded into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style.  The goal of such redesigns is to employ appropriate materials (such as polished brass, iron, and wood) with design elements and craftsmanship consistent with the Victorian era.

Think of an outfit as a modern style filtered through the Victorian era.
Even modern accessories like cell phones or music players can be found in steampunk outfits, after being modified to give them the appearance of Victorian-made objects.