Since the invention of rotating machinery, gears have made the world go ’round. Long before they were put to work altering the force and direction of energy in power transmission equipment, gears were made of wood and employed to hoist heavy loads such as building materials and ship anchors.
Gears are such a familiar staple in the industrialized world, they’ve begun creeping into popular culture as an art medium and a symbol of the collision between old and new technology as embraced by the steampunk movement, a subculture of science fiction that combines modern technology with Victorian and Industrial Age sensibilities. Here’s a look at what steampunk is and why mechanical power transmission products such as gears play an important role in this cultural movement.
What is steampunk?
Once relegated to the fringes of science fiction fandom, steampunk has migrated into mainstream pop culture over the past several years. It stems from the speculative writings of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, whose novels offer a glimpse into an alternate reality in which modern technology continues to revolve around steam power. As a literary genre, steampunk takes a Victorian-era view of what the future would look like, and it began appearing in fiction long before it even had a name.
For steampunk participants, however, it’s about more than literature. Many see it as a full-fledged hobby or even lifestyle; they spend their spare time creating costumes and personas, attending conventions and other gatherings, and fashioning their living environments in the steampunk style. The movement began gaining prominence in the ’80s and ’90s and has spread its influence to music, art, television, cinema and even home design. Examples can be seen in movies such as the adaptation of the graphic novel The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and even television shows as old as The Wild Wild West.
How are gears involved?
Steampunk style has its roots in an era in which the craftsmanship of engineers was prized and the inner components of mechanical devices – gears, levers and pulleys – were often exposed rather than hidden inside boxes or casings like they are today. As a result, gears have become a common signature of steampunk culture.
Although the technology of steampunk doesn’t exist, artists and other participants mine machinery such as salvaged power transmission equipment for gears and other components to create realistic replicas of their fantasy technology, often for role playing or simply aesthetic purposes. Because gears haven’t changed form significantly since the Industrial Revolution, they’re a readily available source of material for steampunk enthusiasts.
How are gears used in steampunk?
The rise of steampunk culture has coincided with an eco-conscious keenness for salvaging or reclaiming old, discarded items and repurposing them in creative ways. As a result, it’s not unheard of to see the innards of a gear reducer used in sculptures, furniture and other home décor elements.
Well-known artists and even home restoration firms have embraced the steampunk aesthetic, incorporating it into the restoration of old Victorian homes. Computers, iPods, guitars, tables and other modern items are often retrofitted with gears and other items salvaged from mechanical power transmission products to make them appear antiquated.
Gears are commonly used in costuming, as well. Some enthusiasts wear small gears as a prosthetic or incorporated into their costumes to suggest the use of mechanical body parts or enhancements.
It’s no wonder gears are such a prominent feature of steampunk culture. Not only do they represent the collision of old and new technology, but they represent the intersection between form and function. In addition to their symmetry and simple yet intricate design, gears offer a basic yet powerful utility that hasn’t changed in more than 200 years of technological advancement. They’re the workhorses of industrial power transmission equipment, with a unique ability to power imaginations as well as heavy machinery.
[Photo by: Everfalling on Flickr via CC License]
Posted under Articles on Thursday, May 26th, 2011