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...

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...

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...

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....

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...

"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...

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...