SteamPunk

[P. Clodius Secundus]

I didn't want to hijack the interesting steam tank thread that Flavius statred, so here's a related topic...
A few weeks back AuxArcher and I were discussing Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey's artillery designs in his book on crossbows. Dane compared the iron spur gears and other Victorian looking items Sir ralph was fond of adding, to the artistic movement known as "SteamPunk". For those unfamililiar with the genre, it involves taking familliar modern items and making them look as if they had been built in the late 19th Century. Designs include lots of cast iron, copper boilers, and brass hardware. It's apparently a response to the CyberPunk movement. For example, a computer might have round mother-of-pearl keys and an ornate gold filigree frame around the monitor. Very cool stuff. The two best film examples I can think of are the Will Smith version of Wild Wild West and the classic Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang (written by Ian Fleming of James Bond fame. Flying car etc...it makes sense). That got me thinking...
If we started a similar school of design making things look as if they were built with Roman technology, materials, and sensibilities what would it be called? The only name I've been able to come up with is "HurPunk" in homage to that Hollywoood classic Ben Hur. I know that scythed chariots and leather seggies are not really Roman, but that's not the point. It's about our reactions to them and playing on our modern perceptions. Can anyone suggest a better name? How about some cool projects?

[marcust]

A better name? well how about Pilum Punk, or Imperial punk or cataphract punk? I would like to see a steam powered suit of cataphract armor with a steam powered metal horse or how about giant steam powered statues 8) ? that are activated and used to defeat Odovacer and the goths 8) Then an iron and then a washer a drier and the dishwasher and mabye that difference engine. Just think of the things that could be done in the collosseum

[Matthew Amt]

Probably it will just end up being called Roman Punk. Or maybe Neo-classic-punk?

I see what you mean, though, a computer with a stone or terracotta casing, with a keyboard done as a mosaic, yes? A bronze cell phone with a gladiator relief on it. Neckties with tinned brass studs and a dangly terminal. No letter U or J, just V and I. And HINGES EVERYWHERE... I think I'll have to get with my artistic wife and daughter and start a business, here!

Matthew

[P. Clodius Secundus]

Gladiator sandals were all the rage last season. Lets roll with it while it's hot. I like the thought of a cell phone disguised as a pugio.

[marcust]

How about cavalry masks that have indestructible, voice controled three-d, self focusing, digital, picture taking, lenses built in the sockets? 8)

[A_Volpe]

....PunkaRoma


hehe, I think Matt's right, there's an untapped niche lurking here, perhaps.
(look at Foglio's success with "Girl Genius" webcomic)

The Sci-Fi / Fantasy convention Arisia in Cambridge MA in January is hosting a "SteamPunk" ball Sunday nite

http://2009.arisia.org/SteampunkBall

not entirely my bag of chocolates, but it can be pretty neat to see what people come up with.

[jkaler48]

RetroRoma Punk
Somewhere a photo of a Chinook helicopter in Legion livery exists:
Public buildings with Roman materials and design - OH wait we already have those don't we!
Kevlar helmet with Traverse crest and cheek guards for company commanders?
Modern materials Lorica Segmentatia?

[Dutchhoplite]

Here you are:

[jkaler48]

Dank U! A laud for that one!

[Iagoba]

There were some whateverpunk things in real life:




And a video here


Great late-late roman soldier!

I would only add a "plumbata-Stielhandgranate" :twisted:

[john m roberts]

I don't remember the name, but years ago I read a short story by William Golding (Lord of the Flies) about a Roman who has built a steamship and is demonstrating it to the emperor (I think it's Domitian). Of course, the Romans obsessively decorated every surface in sight, so the wingnuts are sculpted to look like butterflies, the engine is made to look like a Titan turning the crankshaft with his hands, etc. The inventor hadn't wanted it that way, but the craftsmen couldn't stop themselves since that's the way they always made things. As I recall, the emperor wasn't impressed. Golding was probably inspired by Fulton's attempt to demonstrate his submarine to Napoleon, which the Emperor declined even to witness.