Things That Make Me Smile No.170: Musical Steam

Steampunk functions on the premise that society remained on steam power rather than shifting to combustion engine designs as happened in our timeline. People often assume a fantastical element in some of the more mundane steam designs because they’ve never seen a steam-powered car (they’re slow but did exist), a steam-powered wheelchair (similarly), or any of the many machines that functioned before the switch.

While not every design appearing in novels and other steampunk works is plausible, I bring you a very real musical instrument driven by steam power. The calliope might be a bit jarring at first, but then the tune becomes recognizable, so be patient. What are some of the steam-powered machines you’ve run across? Most people know about early trains, but there were many more.

This entry was posted in Art, Music, Crafts, etc., History, Smiles, Steampunk. Bookmark the permalink.

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