Dieselpunk is a subgenre of speculative fiction that combines elements of the diesel-based technology era (roughly the 1920s to the 1950s) with retro-futuristic technology and aesthetics. It is characterized by a blend of the art deco and streamline moderne design styles, often infused with dystopian, noir, and pulp adventure themes. In dieselpunk, the world is generally depicted as gritty, dark, and filled with smoke, grime, and massive machines powered by diesel engines.
Dieselpunk draws inspiration from the early 20th century’s optimism about progress and technology, as well as the darker aspects of war, industrialization, and social upheaval during the same period. Key elements of dieselpunk include advanced machinery, diesel-powered vehicles, airships, and a fascination with aviation and engineering. It is also characterized by the contrast between opulence and poverty, as well as the tension between the powerful and the oppressed.
