Thank you, BB, for the great Steampunk posts.

I'll gladly read and enjoy them all.

I was beginning to wonder when Mr. Suekichi was going to start offering these beautiful watches for sale. After all, they have been greatly appreciated all over the net for a while now.

@Ari B.
I know what you mean. Steampunk works are awfully expensive as a rule- but with good reason. They are (right now) all artisan products. That is, individually hand-crafted and very labor intensive objects.

However, when the major manufacturers start producing these things, you'll begin to see a great price reduction- along with a vast reduction of charm, uniqueness, and individual artistry.

The arts have truly lost one of the modern masters.

Sad to hear the news.

Nicely rendered. Beautiful glazes and colors. Great job.

(kind of reminds me of the ancient steampunk found here:http://americanfederationofficticiousarch.blogspot.com/

Strange and uncomfortable.

If it catches on, I wonder how long it will be before BurgerKing or Wal*Mart post digital ads there.

Hey, the advertisers could pay the family of the deceased royalties for it. Or better still, payment in advance!

(Sorry, that's just my old advertising mind.)

Cool!

Reminds me of Blood, Sweat & Tears first album/cover- "Child is Father to the Man" (around 1968)

P.S.-The GOOD B,S&T album with Al Kooper.

Ha! Bravo.
Really different and unique.
Dare I ask the price?
Great post. Thanks.

It's wonderful to be able to finally see this article.

Sara Brumfield is one of the great reasons that steampunk has become so popular.

@#48

Judging from the sentiments of many comments here, you're not alone.

But the quality & authenticity of any particular Steampunk effort depends upon the artist and where they are take the genre.

O.K. my final comment for the day and I GOTTA' get back to work...

This lamp shade is hysterical. I love it! Thanks for the post.

"But stop blowing hand-riveted sunshine up my a$$."

Dear Elevenwatt, LOL!!!

No, I'm not into the fashion part of Steampunk (the final image in the NY Times phot-stream is embarassingly bad) and I don't use a made-up, Victorian moniker.

I'm just in it for the genuine 'art' of it.

http://www.jeremiahtolbert.com/2008/on-the-popularity-of-steampunk/

Here at the link are some good thoughts on the genre.

to #36:

I know what you mean, Bonnie. I do feel the same.

However, internet coverage, blogs, newspapers, magazines & other mediae do not deter or detract from the authenticity and importance of any particular art movement (such as Steampunk).

If this were true, and if the internet was around 60 years ago, Jackson Pollack would have been con sidered "over" before his second drip painting was completed.

But we, who follow blogs and especially BoingBoing, are exposed to these new trends the very second they happen. It's no wonder that a style like Steampunk can be considered 'over' even when there are really only a handful of serious artists working in the genre. (by comparison to other styles of art & design).

I really like this!

If the product is a good as seen in the photo, it certainly creates a wonderful and convincing illusion.

Great job. Thanks for the post.

Dear Zilzak,

You are free to like anything you want- for whatever reasons you have for liking it.

If someone liked Steampunk only because it was (and is) considered avante-garde, that's O.K., too.

However, Steampunk is not merely an odd new trend, but will continue to grow in popularity because it reaches back to our past to claim the most wondrous parts of history, overlooked technologies and design. (Captain Nemo would be proud.)

#14 posted by Comstock , May 8, 2008 7:24 AM

#13: agreed. I, for one, am happy that steampunk is now uncool.

To reply to #14:

Agree or not, Steampunk is a bona-fide design movement. Like all other art movements, it will grow in usage and popularity- (think 'modern ar't)

It, like all other human contrivances and efforts, will have it's natural & healthy detractors.

It will morph in it's initial concept as it is adopted and applied by a variety of creative people who will use it as a basis for many different mediums of expression.

To rebut your statement: Steampunk was cool: is now cool and will remain cool.

I have always contended that the "designers" of Droog were foisting a hoax on the public.

I rest my case.

"two kermit dolls in a camera obscura"

Once again, Takuan nails it on the head.

I, however, would like to believe that these aliens are authentic and are really, really cute and friendly.

Now- back to watching "Aliens" for the umpteenth time...

"Jack" speaks the truth.

The unvarnished, unpopular and un-hip truth.

Magnificent design!!!
World Class Craftsmanship.
A Pure Visual Joy!

Thank you, Professor.

I pride myself on my keen abilities for visual observation and, as this may as a surpise to most, that man is wearing a HAIRPIECE!

Dear Majord

Your comments are quite accurate. And, yes, I've heard of the 'goat' business, too.

The masonic clubs that you referred to are called "Fellowcraft Clubs". Although the clubs need the legal approval of their respective masonic districts to operate, none of the clubs' activities are ever related to the Masonic Degrees or any activities in lodge. (I do suspect you already know all that stuff.)

Thanks and Regards,
W:. Art Donovan

Dear Takuan,

Thank you.

Yours is a very healthy and truly mature observation.

I am compelled to weigh in here on the comments:

I have been a professional product designer in NYC since 1976 and I have seen many design styles come and go.

Regarding Steampunk, specifically, I found it to be one of the most unique and visually exciting styles in the last 30 years. Since contemporary design and 'mid-century modern' have become so ubiquitous, I was beginning to worry that the great, traditional schools of architecture and design would not appreciated again for years to come. Steampunk has been the very first style on the horizon to reverse the current 'De Riguer' design trends and does so with great panache, creativity and a genuine love on the part of it's fans and creators.

Regarding the fans of Steampunk who don't actually create anything, I say this:

The Arts would be NOWHERE if it weren't for the fans and people who appreciate genuine artistic effort. You don't need to be an actor or director to appreciate film, nor a musician to appreciate music- and if you really enjoy the Steampunk aesthetic, enjoy it all the day long.

My Best,

Art Donovan

.....And also check out the 'Derek Trucks Shreds'video on You Tube.

Oh...THAT...IS...GREAT!!!

I haven't stopped laughing.

Thank you so much for the post.

The video really is creepy looking.
I wish there was more of it.
I dunno!- kind of 'Blair Witch' like, Spooky.

A Talented and wonderful troop! Great Concept and really well done. Thank you for the post

missing word in my post...."like"

I still really Miss Monsters' work!

Mr. Moofoo, of course, raised a very good and valid question about the gears, but in the end, I suppose that art is art- be it rational or non-sensical.

Steampunk, in all of it's varied manifestations, is wonderful because it so intentionally "Anti-Mid Century Modern". It is a necessary reaction to the tyranny of the Charles and Ray Eames, "groupthink" that has dominated every single design blog on the net.

Magnificent work! Thank you so much.

Fun and Cool. I like them all.

Good point, #8

Imagine the marketing potential if they used "Celebrity" DNA?

Kind of like "Triffids" -only really tasty!

Damn!

Where were these when I was going to Catholic High School in the 60's?

Funny, Funny Comments!

Thank to ALL for the laughs.

Happy V. Day

I remember these because I was in grammar school in the 50's.

These illustrations are wonderful and represent a great but lost commercial art form and era.

Thank you for the post.

Al Best Wishes for you and yours!!

All Best Wishes and Prayers for you and yours!!

Psycha-Liturgical! But aside...
kind of like gilding the lily

The "Death Ray".

Now we can finally fight
those damn "Space Roaches".

Well stated, Bach.

I might also add that Galliano has always been on the very edge and has spawned a host of imitators.

boingboing has the funniest, cleverest comments on any blog, anywhere.

Thanks to ALL for the laughs!

Finally! Somebody who "gets it".
(and much healthier than an egg mcmuffin)

I think the Goth kids are actually quite stylish.

And they certainly look better than I would wear when I used to play AT CBGB's in the 70's.

Goths with a sunburn. HA!!! LOL.

Thank you, Cheqyr and TheFirstMan for your articulate and knowledgeable responses.

I truly enjoy and respect the Steampunk aesthetic