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Category Archives: Retrotechnology
Russian water computers + garden design = underused steampunk plot
If you’ve been secretly hankering to read an Umberto Eco novel about the Illuminati building a giant proto-computer underneath Versailles, do I have the blog post for you!
Posted in Blogs and Blogging, Ephemera, Frivolity, Retrotechnology
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taking choices back from technology: David Imus’ old-fashioned new map
Slate recently had a story by Seth Stevenson on Oregon mapmaker David Imus, who spent thousands of hours painstakingly crafting a two-dimensional wall map of the US. While yet another schoolroom wall map might sound like a complete nonstory, Imus’ … Continue reading
Posted in Design, Education, Maps, Retrotechnology, Web 2.0, New Media, and Gadgets
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Typnostalgia
“People are practically printing books with their smartphones,” Mr. Fletcher said, in a tone suggesting that he did not think this was such a good idea. Delightful. From the New York Times review of the Grolier Club exhibition “Printing for … Continue reading
Posted in Books, Ephemera, Littademia, Museum Lust, Retrotechnology
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The “collapse of science fiction”?
“One way you can describe the collapse of the idea of the future is the collapse of science fiction. Now it’s either about technology that doesn’t work or about technology that’s used in bad ways. The anthology of the top … Continue reading
Posted in Ephemera, Retrotechnology
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This tea robot is too cute to exist
OMG, sTEAmpunk! I don’t even know what to say about this tea infusing robot other than IT IS SO ADORABLE. I want to buy them for everyone, regardless of whether they like robots or drink tea. (If you get one … Continue reading
Posted in Conspicuous consumption, Frivolity, Retrotechnology
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“A masterful congress of word and image, science and art”: I think Darwin would approve
Artist, naturalist and calligrapher Kelly Houle is seeking support through Kickstarter for her “Illuminated Origin of Species” project: Houle promises “a masterful congress of word and image, science and art, in celebration of the grandeur in this view of life.” … Continue reading
Posted in Artists & Art, Books, Ephemera, History of Science, Littademia, Medical Illustration and History, Random Acts of Altruism, Retrotechnology
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God is more than a flying brain
Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam From Paluzzi et al., Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 2007 For a few years, Nature Reviews Neuroscience stuck to a humorous theme in its cover art: everyday objects that mimic brains. A dandelion, spilled … Continue reading
Posted in Artists & Art, Biology, Medical Illustration and History, Museum Lust, Retrotechnology, Science
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The Bowes Silver Swan
The Bowes Swan; silver fish detail from timetravel-Britain.com There is something primally captivating about the successful reproduction of life in art or technology. The Bowes Silver Swan is a wonderful example, dating back to the 18th century. To the accompaniment … Continue reading
Posted in Biology, Museum Lust, Retrotechnology, Wonder Cabinets
6 Comments
Andrew Severynko
Gourmand, 2002 Andrew Severynko Andrew Severynko‘s website reveals an idiosyncratic mix of pastoral watercolors, mixed media, and metal steampunk beasties. He’s represented by Williams Gallery. via feuilleton
Posted in Artists & Art, Retrotechnology
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A Steampunk Green Man
Metamorphosis Almacan Digital artist Almacan (Kazuhiko Nakamura) creates intricately detailed surrealistic portraits, equal parts Giger and da Vinci. This one reminds me of an insectoid Green Man about to disperse into the undergrowth. . . and also, strangely, of Richard … Continue reading
Posted in Artists & Art, Retrotechnology
8 Comments