A big welcome to our newest writer: Aaron Shay!  - Jake

Imagine a world without a record player. A world without recording studios, or record labels, a world without even radio to play us the music that we’d like to hear. Imagine such a world.

Is that world depressing, or is it empowering?

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Johnathan Sebastian Greyshade has been involved with steampunk since the early days of the brass goggles forum. He and his wife kick started the steampunk community in San Diego California with a series of gatherings under the name Machina Fatalis. They went on to run Chrononaut, a steampunk club night that ran for two years. These days he DJs the occasional steampunk gig but his primary focus the Greyshade Estate where he applies steampunk philosophy to building a sustainable urban homestead.

I’m a librarian by profession, and a scholar by inclination, so when I got involved with the amazing confluence of ideas that was steampunk in mid naughts I naturally wanted to know where this idea of steampunk came from. Most steampunks know little about steampunk’s origins. We are part of a strange phenomenon in which loads of elaborately costumed people call themselves “fans” of books they can’t even name. This is not too surprising since steampunk didn’t become popular as a genre until after it inspired an art and lifestyle movement. The few histories of the genre are too lengthy for most people to digest, but not knowing the basics about where steampunk came from leaves its enthusiasts wallowing in a shallow puddle of clichés . . . (Read More)

This sculpture by Deviantart user Timbone is insane and wonderful. I love how much detail, effort,  and care went into a character who's tagline was 'blathering blatherskite'.

Many makers have found uses for the telescoping brass tubing from K & S Engineering. This tubing is available in sizes from 1/16" up to 21/32" (modeltool.com is one retail source), and one of the useful features of this material is that each adjacent size telescopes neatly into the next. I use the tubing to make small organ pipes and tuned bicycle horns, generally working with the thin-wall (.014") variety, and I have developed a few techniques to adjust the fit between adjacent sizes, making airtight slip-fits and press-fits of adjustable tension, and also snap-together fits. These techniques all involve stretching or compressing the brass, and they don't involve the use of gaskets or adhesives. Whatever the tubing is to be used for, these techniques might give a maker some useful ideas for future projects.

Len is a longtime friend of The Steampunk Workshop, fellow Wimshurst maker, and the creator of The Majectic Bellophone, among many of accomplishments. - Jake

Here at The Steampunk Workshop we are in the process of re-vamping our site to focus more on feature articles rather than short blog posts. In addition We're seeking writers to help us cover topics that we're interested in but know little about. Below is the first of those articles from Cicatrix13!  -- Jake

Cicatrix13 is freelance writer and blogger.  She specializes in bringing an edgy perspective to political, Steampunk, and Dark Poetry pieces.  Her work has been published on websites such as HiveTimes.org.uk and The Steampunk Workshop.

Prada, Versace, Calvin Klein, these are iconic names in the industry of high fashion. They call to mind the recent fashion week grandeur in New York on the heels of Milan's fashion week earlier this year.  The fashion world is bustling with reviews and critiques of the lines exhibited by all the giants in the fashion world.  Purchasers are gearing up to stock their stores, such as Nordstrom’s and Saks with the latest styles that have their consumers abuzz.  On every runway worldwide, designers are showcasing the ever-increasing popularity of once obscure Steampunk Couture.

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