Why did steampunk start?

A specific origin is hard to place. Steampunk is a genre of either litterature or media entertainment in which the setting is usually 19th century during the time of the 'steam engine', hence the name. Some of the earliest (and more interesting) works are writen in pulp fiction with author's such as Jules Verne, Park Winthrop, and Huangjiang Diaosou (China, 1904).

When designing steampunk, historical 19th century facts are altered slightly for a more science finction feel. Examples would be the anime series "Sherlock Hound" or H.L.Sayler's book, "The Airship Boys".

Images of Steampunk chracters are often depicted in rugged and worn outfits wearing many buckles about thier clothes. They may be carrying pilot goggles, telescopes, compasses and other typical expedition gear from the early nineteen hundreds. Higher class characters would be wearing the typical dress from early nineteenth century.