CoPilot told me this:

Steampunk is a fascinating genre and aesthetic that blends science fiction with a vintage, retro-futuristic style. It typically imagines an alternate history where steam power remains the dominant technology, often set in the Victorian era (1837–1901) or a similar 19th-century-inspired world.

What sets steampunk apart is its unique mix of old and new—think elaborate brass gadgets, gears, and clockwork mechanisms, combined with futuristic ideas like airships, mechanical automata, and advanced inventions. Its stories often explore themes of adventure, innovation, rebellion, and sometimes dystopia.

Beyond fiction, steampunk has also become a subculture, influencing fashion, art, design, and even music. Enthusiasts might dress in costumes with top hats, goggles, corsets, and gadgets, creating their own interpretation of this imaginative world.