Cool Stuff: Steampunk Retro Design

It's not a new phenomenon, but I've stumbled across it enough on the Web by now to remember to blog about it: Technology rendered in Steampunk retro design.


Steampunk USB drive

The idea is to take current technology and apply 1880s Victorian flourishes (leather, fine woods, marble, brass -- lots and lots of brass) to it.


Steampunk laptop

There's some incredible artisanship on display here.


Steampunk computer keyboard

The best examples of Steampunkery do more than just tack Victorian-looking gimgams onto modern tech: they re-fit the technology into custom-designed, ornate housing...


Steampunk Mac Mini

...or go one step further by actually powering modern devices with steam:



Steampunk stands Greenough's "Form Follows Function" maxim on its head by putting form first. Mass-produced, simple, clean lines are replaced with customized, handcrafted, non-antiseptic cues.



Mind you, Steampunk doesn't necessarily translate well to people.