Skip to main content

Let Me Explain Victorian Era Influences On Industrial Works…

Victorian era industrial aesthetics, which spanned much of the 19th century during Queen Victoria's reign in Britain, are characterized by a fascinating blend of elegance, functionality, and the raw display of industrial might. Here's a detailed look:Materials and Texture:Iron and Steel: The use of iron, and later steel, was predominant. These materials were celebrated for their strength and versatility, often left exposed to showcase the industrial prowess. Cast iron was particularly popular for structures, railings, and decorative elements.Wood: Dark, heavy woods like mahogany, walnut, and oak were commonly used, often intricately carved or turned. Wood was used in combination with metal to soften the industrial look or in purely wooden structures like workbenches or factory floors.Brass and Copper: These metals were used for fittings, fixtures, and machinery parts, adding a touch of luxury and warmth against the coldness of iron.Design and Ornamentation:Ornate Details: Despite the industrial focus, Victorian design couldn't escape...

Continue reading
  148 Hits

"Dialing in"...

When I first started plotting my course when it came to reimagining and making parts available in the steampunk/machination line, one of the very first things I did was look at how difficult it was to procure real life examples- whether it be buying them new which is almost impossible, short of being limited to modern parts, or spending hours trying to hunt down ones that people were offering that could classify as antique, or vintage. The latter did not beckon me to any extended investment.One that stuck out for me was dials and gauges. Old steam and electrical equipment were littered with them and to me they provided a big part of the aesthetic that seems to be missing in modern machination.So of course, I looked first at what I hated about modern dials and gauges. They are simply put, bland and nothing to write home about.Whether I'm thinking about...

Continue reading
  24 Hits

"Walk with Me..."

A decade ago when I decided to rework the Historic Origins site, part of it was because I came across old handwritten journals with little snippets of muse that I had written down and forgot about for a long time. I wanted to convey at the time and thereafter more about my inspiration and even more about me.  I put some of them into a introduction video that I placed at the front end of the site back in 2013 or so, and the video quality and available tools at the time by today's standards were pretty low resolution and quality. Now, in 2024 I upscaled the old video the best I could, and I found some of the old work folders with my initial notes and panels that I used. I wanted to write this stuff down again but in a journal format because not everyone takes the time to...

Continue reading
  100 Hits

Listening To Some Old Boston…

I was sitting down this morning, just checking the 5150 and having a quiet conversation with it, and started thinking of some old Boston tunes. I could go through a huge list of other bands of the era but there was always something about Boston and a few others that just pulled you into the songs as if you were actually on a ride, specially for someone who had a particular for guitar work and the ability for it in the right hands to convey emotion and say words without so much is opening your mouth. It comes from the heart then the hands. It started happening then and it's most definitely a part of sound space now but you can over engineer things and it isn't until you see them being played live and by the artists that it becomes possible for you to feel what they're trying to say....

Continue reading
  804 Hits

You Don’t Just Lose Someone Once...

These things can hold true for anyone in your life- a partner, a friend, a brother. Measure your words and your actions each time you pass each other because you cannot get time back and what you choose to do with it and for it, may be your joy or lament. I have lost much and will lose much, we all do. Today I send a brother to his maker and hope to make good on the things we were, the things we became and the things we aspired to. You were just here a moment ago and we were laughing at the gods, provoking them to action brother; and the only regret I have is not being able to say it one more time- I love you, and will see you soon. "Time enough for the earth in the ground". We had a special relationship and conversations about things I'd venture to...

Continue reading
  3640 Hits

Last of the Hard Men

"The most terrifying force of death, comes from the hands of men who wanted to be left alone. They try, so very hard, to mind their own business and provide for themselves and those they love. They resist every impulse to fight back, knowing the forced and permanent change of life that will come from it. They know, that the moment they fight back, their lives as they have lived them, are over.The moment the men who wanted to be left alone are forced to fight back, it is a form of suicide. They are literally killing off who they used to be. Which is why, when forced to take up violence, these men who wanted to be left alone, fight with unholy vengeance against those who murdered their former lives. They fight with raw hate, and a drive that cannot be fathomed by those who are merely play-acting at politics...

Continue reading
  2742 Hits

A song came on that I hadn't heard in a long time…

You know this is always a strange time of the year. Just randomly, scanning through my regular music stuff as I try to do a bit more of these days and out of the blue the song popped up that I haven't heard for probably 20 or more years. There's a strange story behind it too because back in high school, my special girl Patty back then rolled this song out in the middle of the night. I'll just paint a quiet picture of the green glow of the stereo lights, a candle, and this music while we looked out my window at the snow falling. Simpler times. Things were so easy then. This was back around 1981. As I listened to it, the lyrics kind of put me off a bit because of course it was telling a story about a relationship that didn't work. She looked up at me...

Continue reading
  1270 Hits

Latest...

07 April 2023
Writings on The Wall
No matter how painful it is writing this, I have to. There are a lot of words and it is no small thing to read, so whoever does, thank you. I am exposing myself at my most vulnerable and doing my best to try to put everything into the right words and...
14 March 2023
Writings on The Wall
This is a personal letter, and I can't guarantee that there will be anything after this. It's only here to be saved for the future and so that I'm sure they can read it.   Diane Talon and Mali: “Forgive Me”   Forgive me, please, forgive me....
11 March 2023
Writings on The Wall
Babe, Do you remember this? Do you remember making it? I remember that day clearly, because it always meant something to me. When we talked about making a door chime for our store, and the thing about the four bells I remember joking and saying: “The...
14 February 2023
Writings on The Wall
Happy Valentine's Day babe. This has been a strange year, and yet things have been going good, I wanted to get you something to make up for your birthday and Christmas for you too, but as you know having to walk away from the company I put so much ti...
21 November 2021
Writings on The Wall
"With him he made many perilous journeys, but as the years wore on he went more often alone. His ways were hard and long, and he became somewhat grim to look upon, unless he chanced to smile; and yet he seemed to Men worthy of honour, as a king that ...
25 June 2020
Writings on The Wall
Our passions are derived from what we are most comfortable with. Things we can count on, the things we know.   We adventure within ourselves and the things we choose to share are wrought from that comfort, the things we have grown to love and ev...
16 January 2020
Writings on The Wall
My dreams lead me to many places, and at many times. Old soul, perhaps. Blood Empathy? I'm sure of it, in some way. I cant explain the vivid detail, nor the exhaustion upon waking up. Bruised at times, sore, and tired. Every step I take and day that ...
26 March 2019
Writings on The Wall
I talk with many people about a wide variety of subjects. I'm a talker. Yeah.   One thing we have too little of these days is the "fireside converstion". At the end of the day whether it be at a community meal or even a simple wind-down with one...
14 February 2019
Writings on The Wall
Remember the reasons you do what you do guys. It all comes back to you. I hope everyone out there can take the time to do little things, and big things when you can, just not on a special day, but every day. They re worth it. I planned on being ...
12 February 2019
Writings on The Wall
So, Diane's been exploring some creative energy and me, being me always tries to come up with something I can let her wake up to.   I wont get into the creation and machining of the final tools, everyone knows I can already do that, and these ar...
31 January 2019
Writings on The Wall
Let me tell you something about the Gods, Ragnarok, and what it means to the lives of men. Over time the Gods contrive stories to meet an end thats not always in the favor of men. One thing you can be sure of though, is truth greets you each morning ...
24 January 2019
Writings on The Wall
Sometimes, when I try to sleep, I lie awake and wonder what could I have done to be given these, these trials that I'd wish upon no man. To be away from loving heart Diane, and my son, Talon for so long. I surrendered my love to them and swore to pro...