"You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need."
As I read these words to a young apprentice I was struck with a feeling of clarity. Mr. Selznick had put into words a truth I've come to learn myself, but never uttered.
Mechanical design is conceiving a desired motion and then thinking of the exact number and type of parts needed to produce the result. Simple.
My question then is why is it so many "Steampunks" seem to ignore this truth? How many costumed cavaliers have we seen trying to depict a Steampunk character by simply gluing gears on to fashion items?
Gears are the work horses of mechanism! - not pretty wheelie things to adorn a hatband or parasol!
When my Automaton Army finally does rise up to take over the world, Glue on Steampunks will be at the top of my list for eradication!
You've hit on it, but while I am of the same opinion, I don't begrudge my fellows who are only into Steampunk for the aesthetic sensibilities or the fun of it. Every hobby/movement/trend has that element. It is of course that aspect of Steampunk which the mainstream person sees first, if they are at all interested in actual Steampunk, they will discover the literature and history of it.
ReplyDelete