January 2013
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Special Announcements.............. Page 2 Texas Steampunk Societies.........Page 2
Literary Illuminations................. Page 2-3 Art Nouveau vs Art Deco.............Page 3-4
Volume 2: Issue 1
Did you know: In 1813, George Stephenson became aware that William Hedley and Timothy
Shout Outs................................... Page 4
Hackworth were
Recipe Box................................... Page 5
designing a locomotive
January 2013 Calendar.................Page 6
for the Wylam coal
February 2013 Calendar...............Page 7
mine. So at the age of
Newsletter Info........................... Page 7 Flyer Invitation.............................Page 8
twenty, George Stephenson began the construction of his first locomotive. It should be noted that at this
Editor's Note: As you can clearly see, we're running short on content this month. This will be made up for February's great issue though!
time in history, every part of the engine had to be made by hand, and hammered into shape just like a horseshoe. John Thorswall, a coal mine blacksmith, was George Stephenson's main assistant. Page 1
On February 15, 2013, SIS will be presenting at the Dallas Museum of Art. We will have a three hour art display and photo slide/video, and during that we will have an hour long lecture as well. The museum invites all Steampunks to attend, and it's a FREE of charge event. Dress in your finest (it's encouraged by not mandatory), but please leave the weaponry (even fake/replicas) at home. Umbrellas are not permitted inside, nor are tripods. We're getting the OK on if canes are welcomed, of if they are only acceptable for those who medically need them. When we know the times of our event, we will post them on the website and on Facebook. For now, all we know is the event runs from 6pm to midnight. Please consider joining us. Also, If you would like to put on something for display that night, please feel free to let me know by sending an email to the following address: contact@steampunkis.org Also, we're setting up the schedule for the next few months for SIS. It looks like there could be a regular swap meet in our future starting as early as March. So keep tuned in for more information there. The date for our Steamtrain adventure in Palestine, Tx has been set for March 23rd. More information, as it develops will be posted on our Facebook and forum. Early April sometime, we will be doing a picnic (pack a brown sack lunch or a picnic basket) and Steampunk invasion of the Dallas Aquarium as well. The date for that will be announced online at our Facebook page and forum. It's family friendly and we welcome everyone along.
Current & Active in Texas: •
Territories of Houston Steampunk
•
San Antonio Neo-Victorian Society
•
Tech Steampunk Society
•
Steampunk Illumination Society
•
Austin Steampunk Society
•
Red River Regional Steampunk Expeditionary Society
•
Lubbock Steampunk Society
•
Amarillo Steampunk Society
“The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack” by Mark Hodder Mark Hodder has created a quintessential steampunk story, full of skewed Victorian history, strange steam and clockwork devices and populated with a biographical encyclopedia of 19th century characters. History is set on a different course by the strange appearance of a Victorian legendary creature. In fact, it really can’t be called the Victorian Age in the book, because Queen Victoria has been assassinated, and Prince Albert is now on the throne. Page 2
The first book of this trilogy is set in 1861 and is called “the Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack”. The protagonists are a Holmes and Watson team of Sir Richard Francis Burton and Algernon Charles Swinburne. This is the Richard Burton from history: Explorer, Author, Spy, and Swordsman. Really, you couldn’t find a better character that both defines and defies the Victorian Age. Swinburne was an English poet and playwright, famed for his drinking and somewhat strange sexual desires. Burton is commissioned as a King’s Agent, and with his friend begins to investigate strange attacks on women in London. Rumor has it that it is the mysterious character from English folklore called Spring Heeled Jack committing the crimes. And it’s not the only myth they have to uncover as children are being abducted by loup-garous – werewolves. Burton uses all his abilities of detection and disguise to track down answers, and he comes to realize that his destiny is somehow related to the strange creature he is pursuing. Burton must also discover the connection with the scientific organization known as the Technologists, headed by the famed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel and has as its members Charles Darwin and Florence Nightengale. Their investigations lead Burton and Swinburne to crazed conspirators and mad scientists, engaging them in detective work
and dangerous battles. Be prepared to get deeply involved in their world, though Hodder sometimes gets bogged down by his own research. The story is congested with historical events and figures, plus reimagined technology, engineered both steam-mechanical and genetically. London itself is a present character in the book, leading you through the back alleys and foggy streets of the Victorian city. (Written & Submitted by by Jonathan Carr)
Victorian Art Nouveau verses Diesel Era Art Deco: Written by Larry Amyett Art Deco, which dominated the 1920s and 30s, plays a major role in Dieselpunk aesthetics. The term 'Art Deco' is taken from the name of the 1925 Paris exhibition of jewelry makers, architects, illustrators along with fashion designers titled Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes. However, Art Deco didn’t appear in Paris out of nowhere but originated as a Page 3
modern alternative to Victorian Art Nouveau, which preceded it. Therefore, to understand Art Deco, one has to understand first Art Nouveau. The leaders of the Arts and Crafts Movement, such as William Morris, and their critical response to late 19th century and early 20th century growth of Industrialization and mass production greatly influenced Victorian Art Nouveau. Art Nouveau has characteristics of fluidity along with the use of natural materials, colors and patterns. It often incorporates designs from nature such as flowers, leaves and fruits. Illustrations of people usually have soft, realistic flesh tones and postures along with strong expressions of emotions. Art Nouveau design often has a complexity that incorporates the various elements together to provide an overall interwoven presentation. Finally, Art Nouveau emphasizes, in both graphic design and architectural engineering, beauty over
function. In contrast, Art Deco embraced Modernity and wealth while celebrating industrial production along with commercialization. Clean, stylized design dominates Art Deco with straight lines, zigzag patterns, and starbursts in addition to pure shapes such as rectangles, circles and squares. Art Deco emphasizes artificial and pure colors such as white, black, silver, and gold. Art Deco often portrays people as idealized rather than natural. Emotions usually lack depth and may come across as flat. Urban landscapes and modern technology dominate Art Deco illustrations. When nature is used, it’s usually portrayed as jagged, two-dimensional and stylized. Art Nouveau and Art Deco are further reminders of the close relationship that Dieselpunk shares with its Steampunk cousins.
A very Happy Birthday to ALL January birthdays from SIS. May you all have a wonderful day full of all the people you love and memories you will cherish! Congratulations to Red River Steampunk Expeditionary Society on your upcoming May event, Aeoliphilic Exposition! You guys have come a long way in under a year, and SIS hopes it goes very well!!
Page 4
As in October 2012's issue, I found that many recipes of the 1800's and prior go well beyond cooking. Heres a few recipes for medical purposes that I found both interesting and amusing. Before we ventuer any further, I need to insert a little disclaimer for legal reasons. *yawn* Here goes..... *Steampunk Illumination Society does not advise anyone making/trying any of these recipes to supplement professional medical treatment by a licensed medical professional. SIS and it's organizers are not responsible for anyone who does make and try these recipes for themselves against our advice. These are simply being provided as historical references and amusing reader enjoyment.* Napoleon's Pectoral Pills The folling recipe was copied from one in posession of late Emperor of France, and was a very favorite remedy with Napoleon for difficulty of breathing, or oppression of the chest arising from a collection of mucus in the air cells and vessels of the lungs, and in the gullet. Considerable benefit has been derived from it in many similar cases. Take of ipecacuanha root, in powder, 30 grains; quill root in powder, gun ammoniac, in powder each 4 scruples; mucilage of gum arabic, sufficient to form a mass. To be divided into 24 pills; two to be taken every night and morning. Remedied for Diseases of the Teeth If hallow or decayed, apply compound tincture of benzoin, or some essential oil, on cotton, to the part, or pills with camphor and opium; or chew the roots of pellitory of Spain. Some burn the nerve with sulphuric or nitric acid, or a hot iron.
Oh my! I may not be a fan of modern day dentists, but this hot iron method surely does not appeal to me. I imagine I am not in the minority with that one. During my reading, I run across this unusual recipe for tape-worm in children which was used to treat children in the 1800's. What I immediately had to look up was the nature of consuming turpentine oil and if it's still something that is used today. I was surprised to find the answer is yes. Here's a modern day bit on the subject of turpentine oil: "Turpentine oil is made from the resin of certain pine trees. It is used as medicine. Don’t confuse turpentine oil with gum turpentine, which is the resin. Turpentine oil is applied to the skin for joint pain, muscle pain, ner ve pain, and toothaches. People sometimes breathe in (inhale) the vapors of turpentine oil to reduce the chest congestion that goes along with some lung diseases. In foods and beverages, distilled turpentine oil is used as a flavoring. In manufacturing, turpentine oil is used in soap and cosmetics and also as a paint solvent. How does it work? Turpentine oil, when inhaled, may help reduce congestion. When used on the skin, turpentine oil may cause warmth and redness that can help relieve pain in the tissue underneath." Ridding Tape-worm in Children: Beat up 5 1/2 drachms of rectified oil of turpentine with the yolk of an egg and some sugar and water, or common syrup. Give this to a child having tape-worms. Two doses are sure of expelling then. Pumpkiin seeds, made into electuary with honey or molasses, and taken rather copiously on an empty stomach, will generally kill and remove tape-worm. Page 5
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THUR
FRI
SAT
Happy Birthday to: Kim Goodwin, Scot Lund, Ruya Gamal, Jesse Thaxton, Suzeau Ryette, Kelsey Radmaker, Charles Lincoln Miller, David Thomason, Alyssa Stevens, Tracy Batty Robertson, Deborah Marshall, Pablo Vazquez, Andre Smirnov, Diana Fitzgerald, Peter Pixie, BJ Stahl, & Robert Venger. To anyone missed, a special Happy Birthday to you!! For a full list of known Steampunk Conventions & Faires for 2013 – 2014, please click HERE. 1-
-2-
3
4
5
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S DAY! 2013 6
7
8-
9
10-
11
12
13
14-
15
16
17-
18-
19
The Gray Ball in San Antionio, TX
The Gray Ball in San Antionio, TX
25
26
20
21-
22
23
24
Austin Steampunk Society Meeting in Austin, Tx at 7PM 27
28
29
30
SIS Meeting in Arlington, Tx at 7PM
31
February 1
February 2
Tx Tech SteamR3SES Meeting punk Society in Shreveport, Meeting in LA at 6:45PM Lubbock, Tx at 6PM Austin Steampunk Society Meeting in Austin, Tx at 7PM
Page 6
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THUR
Happy Birthday to: Deb Lombard, Beatrice Christemas, Nyx Redfeather, Tim Baer, David Tyberg, Jessica Upchurch, Cameron Hare, Jeanelle Lane, Airship Hope, & Tashonda Burt.
FRI
SAT
1
2
To anyone missed, a special Happy Birthday to you!! For a full list of known Steampunk Conventions & Faires for 2013 – 2014, please click HERE. 3
4
5
6
7-
8
-9 Amarillo Steampunk Meeting in Amarillo, Tx at 5:30pm
10
11
12
13-
14
15
16-
ConDFW XII in Addison, TX
ConDFW XII in Addison, TX
Valentines Day 17-
ConDFW XII in Addison, TX
18
19
20-
21
22
23
25
26
27
28
March 1
March 2
SIS Meeting in Farmers Branch, Tx at 2PM 24
Bioshock Infinite Release Day....
Mailing Address: SteampunkIS P.O. Box 202664 Arlington, Tx 76006 Editor Email: contact@steampunkis.org
Website: www.steampunkis.org Submission Deadline: 7th of each month
Page 7
STEAMPUNK FRIENDLY! Check out Feed Your Head in Arlington, Texas. There's something there for everyone!