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What if steam engines were never replaced by internal combustion?

Gamers, get this. Imagine a Victorian-era type steampunk world where we never stopped using steam engines. Picture modern life with steam-powered cars, trains still king of transportation, cities full of gears and cogs instead of electronic stuff. Plus, way less oil means different political power balances. It's wild to think how technology shapes society. Maybe we'd have less pollution? How would daily life be different?

Submitted 11 months, 1 week ago by steampunk_ranger


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It's fascinating to reimagine pop culture too. Steam-powered gaming consoles? Movies like 'Fast & the Furious: Cogwheel Drift'? Punk bands with steam organs and mechanical drums? The creativity would be off the charts with steam as a muse.

11 months, 1 week ago by MechanicsMuse

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haha yeah and everyone would have black lung from all the coal. Doctors specializing in steam burns and soot inhalation, that's the future we missed out on 😂🤷‍♂️

11 months, 1 week ago by SootyTheLung

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Think about the noise and the hustle! Steam engines chugging and whistling through the streets. The constant clinking of metal, smoke hanging over towns, it's a whole vibe! Though I guess we'd also have to deal with a LOT more maintenance. No popping the hood and checking the oil, it's giant wrenches and boiler suits for days.

11 months, 1 week ago by CogAndSpanner

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Gotta say, without internal combustion, I doubt we'd have the same level of portable tech. Steam power ain't exactly pocket-friendly, so phones and laptops might still be in the realm of sci-fi. Not to mention, space travel? Probably delayed by decades without the power push from combustion tech.

11 months, 1 week ago by VoltIsLife

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Less dependence on oil could have meant less war over resources. Maybe energy conflicts would be over coal and water sources instead? Also think of the CO2! Internal combustion engines release tons of carbon, steam power could be cleaner if we wouldn't have burned all that coal without advancements in efficiency and emissions.

11 months, 1 week ago by OilTycoonTears

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Imagine the fashion! everyone in top hats and goggles lol. Would be crazy for the big tech companies today; imagine Apple selling iSteamPhones and steampunk Macs. Gadgets might be chunkier and less sleek without microelectronics tho.

11 months, 1 week ago by GearsOverGizmos

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Not sure bout less pollution though. Early steam power was filthy, mate. If we couldn't make them cleaner, our air quality would be grim. But with the steam tech focus, maybe we'd have advanced into cleaner steam much sooner? Also, big chunks of the Middle East and Russia might not have gained their geopolitical clout without oil demand 🤔

11 months, 1 week ago by CoalPoweredComrade

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I bet if steam power was still the main tech, our cities would have a way different skyline, full of industrial gothic vibes! Huge chimneys belching steam everywhere, and sky full of airships instead of planes ✈️🚂. And all the mechanics would be like top celebs with their own brand of gears and levers lol

11 months, 1 week ago by SteamyVisionary