While it seems that just last October we were raving about how through advanced edible mechanics we were able to enjoy a 3 layer mechanical wedding cake.  My friends I am here to inform you that even as I type this cake technology is growing by leaps and bounds.

BEHOLD, THE STEAMPUNK MINI BIRTHDAY CAKE!

This masterpiece comes to us from Babycakes.  Though I still wonder of the potential delicious factor of fresh maple and brass, I am assured by my friends that the goodness quality of this pastry is not to be denied.

Another image of the cake showing the upper portion is in order!

**links courtesy of haha.nu a lifestyle website. (who seem to dislike hot linking!)  Further proof that Steampunk is indeed a lifestyle and more than the sum of it’s parts.  And while you’re there check out this gondola system on Mount Hua in the People’s Republic of China!  Truly breathtaking!

UPDATE:

We corrected the image problem, also here is yet ANOTHER steampunk cake!  I’m getting hungry now.  Newest cake courtesy of Hardware Sphere

In HAC’s absence I’ll be taking over the front page blog this week. I have to admit I can’t believe what an AMAZING job Harold has done for us since he took over. I hope you’ll all join me in wishing him a speedy recovery and gratitude for a job well done.

 While he recovers I'll update the blog once a day so please keep checking back as we try to bring you the latest in Steampunk Information, News, and Events. 

And as such, for a few days, there may be spotty posting here, I will try to check in as I can.. In the meantime..

There were many writers that influenced the Steampunk mouvement and no one more than Jules Verne. If you have time for the coming summer and after having visited the docks where you can see the Great walking Elephant, I advise you to go up-hill to the Jules Verne Museum. 3 floors of this ancient mansion of the Saint-Anne hill dedicated to the fabulous writer. You will have that unique chance to (re-)discover his work through original editions of his books, facsimiles of old movie posters and of course models of the Nautilus.

This museum is worth the walk for its collection but also for the magnificient view on the river.

Over at the Forum, discussion there on the creation of a Dieselpunk sub-board, got me thinking that there is (from my point of view as a retired railroader with 36 years in service) that there is a lot of potential for overlap and cross pollination between Steampunk and Dieselpunk.. I am old enough to remember the end days of the transition from steam to diesel power on the railroads and looking through my photo archives can find plenty examples of wonderful steam power in the Dieselpunk era. Steam power kept quietly working away, eventually going “behind the scenes”. As an example, there was a 12,000 HP triple expansion steam engine powering a rolling mill in Britain, until 1973, where its last job was rolling out steel plate for a nuclear reactor containment vessel. As another example, our beloved Steampunk airships didn’t really hit mainstream until after 1918, with even what is considered the “Golden Age” of airships being the early 1900’s, which takes them out of the Victorian era and plants them firmly into the Edwardian. In a nutshell, while I started out as a Steampunk, (I appreciate and enjoy Victorian history and culture, but really am a steam power fan first), I also seem to be a bit of a closet Dieselpunk by the definition generally agreed on. I am a sucker for Art Deco, and I enjoy the 1920-1950’s cultural era (heck, I can remember the late 1950s) just as much. I”d venture to say that the era I identify with most would be the inter-war era of the 1930’s, as portrayed particularly in the “Poirot” television series. Who can argue with such classic examples of styling as the de Havilland Dragon Rapide, or a Dreyfuss J3-A Hudson? I think the overlap might be a very interesting thing.  I’m sure this will cause some controversy, but don’t worry, BG will remain Steampunk, though perhaps with some occasional wanderings.. Thoughts?

Vernian process is proud to announce the pre-release version of our album “Behold the Machine”. Featuring 14 tracks of Steamwave goodness. At this time, the album will only be available in digital download format but the download is free. The pre-release mix will differs in a few minor ways from the final mix.

Behold The Machine Download

Vernian Process also have created some wallpapers featuring Myke Amend’s fantastic artwork for you to download as well.

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Sadly,  Vernian Process ran into some unforeseen financial hardships during their tour, which has prevented them from being able to manufacture the official barcoded CDs and booklets for the time being. However,   they have set up a ChipIn widget to help with the repairs, and the cost of printing the CDs

This is the top showing the pot and a swirly color wheel.

Although without question a slot machine can be a VERY steampunk object this one tries really hard but for a purist like myself just misses the mark. (although sweet Clementine, did you see that pot?! 700,000 USD!)

Out of Order!! Curses!

As you can see on the left. The poor thing was in need of an engineer.  Sadly Bally’s of Las Vegas, NV looks down upon guest engineers and prefers them to be of the In-House variety.  Needless to say I could not play it.  Also frustrating was that  it was the only one of it’s kind on the floor.  After going to about 6 casinos that night I discovered (unless I just missed it which is possible) that it’s the only one on the strip!

Summary: I think it was a cheap grab at the aesthetic which is sad because they could have really made a legendary slot machine had they made one more mechanical.  At least give the one-armed bandit it’s one arm!!  sigh This is Shaunathan Sprocket, going back to the Roulette table to win actual money at a game played in the 19th century.  (now where was that European Wheel….)

I must admit that seeing this brought back memories of my early days with the railroad, worked a lot with teletype and message switching.  But we digress – The Aetheric Message Machine Company has taken texting to new Steampunk heights by adapting old teletype machines to receive text messages.

Now all I need to do is get 100 of these and an old IBM360/40 and I can recreate the teletype network centre of my early career.

The League of STEAM has released their first video Webisode “Monkey Business”. Well Done, Lads!

The Adventures of the League of Steam

Certainly!   Spotted these handcrafted glass beauties in Banff.