NF Steampunk Civil War

[OldBrainsHalleck]

I am considering doing an science fiction story where the Civil War was fought with steampunk elements. For those who are unfamiliar with the genre, steampunk is a scifi subgenre primarily set in Victorian times where steam-power and clockwork based machinery are the main type of technology.

 

[ForeverFree]

I am considering doing an science fiction story where the Civil War was fought with steampunk elements. For those who are unfamiliar with the genre, steampunk is a scifi subgenre primarily set in Victorian times where steam-power and clockwork based machinery are the main type of technology.

Have you seen any of the shows from the old TV series The Wild Wild West? This is from Wiki:

The Wild Wild West is an American television series that ran on the CBS television network for four seasons (104 episodes) from September 17, 1965 to April 4, 1969. Two television movies were made with the original cast in 1979 and 1980, and the series was adapted for a motion picture in 1999.

Developed at a time when the television western was losing ground to the spy genre, this show was conceived by its creator, Michael Garrison, as "James Bond on horseback." Set during the administration of President Ulysses Grant (1869–77), the series followed Secret Service agents James West (Robert Conrad) and Artemus Gordon (Ross Martin) as they solved crimes, protected the President, and foiled the plans of megalomaniacal villains to take over all or part of the United States.

The show featured a number of fantasy elements, such as the technologically advanced devices used by the agents and their adversaries. The combination of the Victorian era time-frame and the use of Verne-esque technology has inspired some to give the show credit as being one of the more "visible" origins of the steampunk subculture. These elements were accentuated even more in the 1999 movie adaptation.

Despite high ratings, the series was cancelled near the end of its fourth season as a concession to Congress over television violence.
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The show was more pre-steampunk than true steampunk, but it might give you some inspiration. Don't bother looking at the movie adaption featuring Will Smith, it's horrible.

- Alan

 

[Patrick H]

Sounds like a fun concept for a story. I was a big fan of The Wild Wild West, too. Unlike Alan, I also enjoyed the movie, but maybe it was due to the presence of Salma Hayek.

 

[AshleyMel]

My daughter is a big fan of the genre! We'll be excited to here all about it!

 

[LoriAnn]

I just photographed Steampunk Weekend at our Faire last Saturday. I would LOVE a Civil War themed Steampunk event!

Write that book so I can have CW-themed characters to photograph next year.

 

[OldBrainsHalleck]

One thing I am considering for the story is that the Southern elite (namely wealthy plantation owners and the like) would be more reluctant to use more of the advanced weapons, because they like to compare themselves to old aristocracy and knights of old.

 

[rebelatsea]

I am considering doing an science fiction story where the Civil War was fought with steampunk elements. For those who are unfamiliar with the genre, steampunk is a scifi subgenre primarily set in Victorian times where steam-power and clockwork based machinery are the main type of technology.

Sound interesting, I probably won't be able to trace it now but many years ago there was a Sci -Fi novel set on an earth where electricity had never been tamed. Everything used alternative technology and it was all based on actual Victorian invention. I can't even remember the tile or author now - maybe someone here will know what I'm talking about.

 

[Patrick H]

One thing I am considering for the story is that the Southern elite (namely wealthy plantation owners and the like) would be more reluctant to use more of the advanced weapons, because they like to compare themselves to old aristocracy and knights of old.

That can be a story element and it can lead to an interesting plot twist. Don't get stumped by it.

 

[James N.]

"In 1863, where an alternate nineteenth century Europe has made tremendous strides in steam-powered technologies, scientist Lloyd Steam and his son Edward have succeeded, after a lengthy expedition, in discovering a pure mineral water. They believe the water can be harnessed as an ultimate power source for steam engines (the main industrial engine of the time). An experiment in Russian Alaska goes terribly wrong, with Edward being engulfed in freezing gases, but results in the creation of a strange spherical apparatus..."

This is only the beginning of the plot of the beautifully animated but ridiculously convoluted 2004 Japanese anime Steamboy. Around that time the Japanese fully embraced the steampunk genre, producing quite a number of movies and TV series based on the concept.

 

[OldBrainsHalleck]

That can be a story element and it can lead to an interesting plot twist. Don't get stumped by it.

Ironclads could be armored, steam-powered airships instead of boats.

 

[OldBrainsHalleck]

"In 1863, where an alternate nineteenth century Europe has made tremendous strides in steam-powered technologies, scientist Lloyd Steam and his son Edward have succeeded, after a lengthy expedition, in discovering a pure mineral water. They believe the water can be harnessed as an ultimate power source for steam engines (the main industrial engine of the time). An experiment in Russian Alaska goes terribly wrong, with Edward being engulfed in freezing gases, but results in the creation of a strange spherical apparatus..."

This is only a part of the beautifully animated but ridiculously convoluted 2004 Japanese anime Steamboy.

Funny you should mention that film, since it was partially responsible for inspiring my Steampunk Civil War idea. I might expand on the idea of the Steamball from the film.

 

[James N.]

Funny you should mention that film, since it was partially responsible for inspiring my Steampunk Civil War idea. I might expand on the idea of the Steamball from the film.

Somehow I'm not surprised!

 

[OldBrainsHalleck]

Somehow I'm not surprised!

Another inspiration was the recent anime series, Princess Principal.

 

[James N.]

Another inspiration was the recent anime series, Princess Principal.

That I haven't seen nor have a copy of, unlike Steamboy. I was unimpressed enough by that one though that I've only watched it a single time.

 

[OldBrainsHalleck]

That I haven't seen nor have a copy of, unlike Steamboy. I was unimpressed enough by that one though that I've only watched it a single time.

It's based more on spies. Another element of my story would be political intrigue and espionage, as well military battles.

 

[Mark Roth]

Sounds interesting. In many was the Civil War was already a steampunk conflict. Iron horses carrying men hundreds of miles, guns that could "fire all week," and impermeable metal ships steaming the seas.

 

[AshleyMel]

My daughter's Victorian steam punk inspired mini hat we bought from a vendor at last years UDC meeting!
I think you story is sounding amazing!

 

[Patrick H]

Ironclads could be armored, steam-powered airships instead of boats.

Steam powered battle tanks, armored railroad cars, etc. Steam punk carriages, etc. etc. etc. And you've got to go with some steam power on the plantations, too. There just wouldn't be as much of it as on a northern farm.

 

[LoriAnn]

My daughter's Victorian steam punk inspired mini hat we bought from a vendor at last years UDC meeting!
I think you story is sounding amazing!

Nice! Did the hat come that way, or did she decorate it?

Here's my album. Not every photo is Steampunk, but a good portion are. You can see some costume details.

I'm too lazy to suit up like this, but I think if I got my hands on a classic Victorian dress ~ or even tried sewing one ~ I'd wear it to photograph an event.

My favorite was this guy. I asked if he would mind if I took his photo, and he was like, "I dunno...I'm kinda shy." Then he gave me this pose.

 

[AshleyMel]

Nice! Did the hat come that way, or did she decorate it?

I bought this one to support the vendor at the meeting (she bought some of our preserves) but my girl definitely could make her own! She loves the steampunk theme! She has some jewelry and I've made some earrings for her as well.

Here's my album

Great work LoriAnn! Love all the smiling faces! Not sure if it is my bag (not sure I have a bag) but I sure do love seeing people happy!

I'm still looking at all my fabric asking myself when I'm going to get started on my dress!