by QuanCorneliusJames

Imagine a fantasy world derived from the Roaring Twenties to the end of World War 2, one where film noir, jazz, and art deco creations dominate vast landscapes filled with a myriad of technologies powered by oil. Such a world is characteristic of dieselpunk, a retrofuturistic fantasy subgenre that draws inspiration for its setting from the time period of 1919 – 1950.
Dieselpunk has four key traits: a sense of retrofuturism, key aesthetics, an oil–driven setting, and the punk element. We, as writers of modern times, are looking back (retro) on the time period of 1919 – 1950 and deriving speculative stories (futurism) from it. The punk element refers to a sense of rebellion or resistance against social norms or ideals. And, like its sister subgenre steampunk, dieselpunk has certain aesthetics and settings associated with it.

History and classics

The name dieselpunk was coined in 2001 by Lewis Pollak as a means of describing his RPG Children of the Sun. Since then, the name dieselpunk has been expanded into art, literature, music, video games, and many other forms of media. And yet, dieselpunk remains a relatively rare subgenre compared to its much more influential sisters: steampunk and cyberpunk.
However, there are certain works that could be considered dieselpunk classics. Children of the Sun is the work that began the dieselpunk subgenre and deserves a place as a dieselpunk classic. Similarly, the video game Final Fantasy 7 by Squaresoft (later Square Enix) could also be considered dieselpunk (at least the first bit of the game). Final Fantasy 7 features an oppressive society where the mega–corporation Shinra is the dominating force, using Mako Energy (a liquid forged from life force and is analogous to oil) to provide the world's power, although the eco–terrorist group AVALANCHE fights against this status quo (the punk element). Although often treated as a steampunk book, Scott Westerfeld's novel Leviathan could also be considered dieselpunk as the technologies featured in the book (an alternate history World War 1 following two protagonists) includes diesel engines.

Setting

Vastness is the key to a dieselpunk setting. Imagine titanic cities filled with simplistic yet majestic architecture, a labyrinth of roads, and all manner of fantastic technologies powered by oil. The 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s were a time of immense technological change. You have vast airships like the Hindenburg, powerful battleships like the Iowa, and marvellous tanks like the Tiger 1. The more incredible the technologies are, the better. The only restriction is that the technologies should plausibly exist in an oil–driven setting, (so something like a Dyson Sphere would NOT fit but diesel trains, battleships, airships, etc., do).
The aesthetics of dieselpunk are very art deco. A sense of both simplicity and majesty is what one should aim for in a dieselpunk setting. The gears, clockwork, and steam engines of steampunk are replaced by the shine of chrome, art deco designs, and powerful diesel engines in dieselpunk. Music is primarily based on the Blues and Jazz. Film noir (black and white films) is also very popular in dieselpunk settings.
For fashion, trench coats, vests, and bowler hats are still popular for men but the top hat has been replaced by the trendy new fedora. Women's fashion is more varied. During the 1920s, Women's Rights movements reduced gender differences and women dressed more like men (for instance, they wore shirts, pants, and masculine hats). By the late 1930s and the 1940s however, war, nationalism, and the threat of totalitarian regimes have enhanced gender roles and women dressed in more feminine attires with blouses, skirts, and short coats (although simpler than in Victorian/Edwardian times). As long as your fashion is derived from the 1920s to 1940s, you cannot go wrong.

Themes

Dieselpunk themes tend to be highly varied. However, one must consider the punk element when writing their themes. Think about what social resistance or rebellion lies at the heart of your characters' conflicts and how that might affect the world. One might include themes of good government as the 1930s and 1940s saw the rise and reign of powerful fascist governments. One might also have themes of optimism vs. cynicism as the former optimism of Victorian/Edwardian times mostly died with World War 1. As long as the punk element is included, any other themes beyond that are entirely up to the writer.

Characters

Characters in dieselpunk tend to be quite varied as well. You have CEOs, (huge mega–corporations like Chrysler took off during the 1920s) and workers, inventors and builders, pilots and passengers, soldiers and civilians. For example, you might have women wanting to become part of the workplace. The 1920s was filled with women known as Flappers, who dressed in a boyish manner in a time when gender differences had been greatly reduced. You might have a submarine captain as World War 2 had U–boats as a key part of it. You could even have mecha pilots. Any character that could plausibly exist in an oil–powered setting is fair game for dieselpunk.

Why I like this subgenre

To me, I find the settings in dieselpunk to be highly appealing. Art deco designs, vast cities, film noir, and fantastic technologies powered by diesel engines are rarely seen in fantasy, yet are wonderfully majestic and magical. Dieselpunk also allows for a wide range of themes and characters, giving vast amounts of freedom to the writer. It is also draws inspiration from the 1920s to 1940s, a time of immense change for the world with the Roaring Twenties, Great Depression, and World War 2 lending to grittier worlds and interesting themes.

Example of Diselpunk Fantasy on Wattpad:
Petroknight by QuanCorneliusJames

Synopsis:

How far must loyalty go?
Maxillio "Max" Luminar Martell is no stranger to committing atrocities. He is a Petroknight, an elite guard for the emperor, and has slaughtered thousands in the emperor's name. 
That changes when he's sent to New Krozere with one peculiar mission: confiscate the artefact found there no matter the cost. His voyage will expose him to the darkest depths of his empire, horrors he never knew existed. He must question how far he will follow the emperor if he is to save New Krozere from horrors beyond anything he could have imagined.

Excerpt:

It is an immutable truth that loyalty brings one to misery and change. His uncle had uttered those words just prior to his execution. Maxillio shuddered, his mind filled with memories from two days ago.

On that day, the sprawling square was filled with enormous crowds. They were arranged in orderly patterns, saluting the emperor as he stood on the podium. Beside the podium was the guillotine, its blade glistening in the sun's rising flames. The square was surrounded by towering building and the skies alive with planes and airships.

And then, as the clock struck 9:00, the emperor ordered the execution. He stood tall and proud, radiating strength and majesty as he voice rang loud and true. The blade fell and in one effortless swoop, sliced off his uncle's head. Back then he had shuddered upon his uncle's decapitation. Nonetheless, he cheered alongside the crowd. He thrust his right hand forward, fingers extended and thumb pointed skywards. It was the gesture of loyalty to the emperor, which the crowds quickly mirrored.

Enough about that! Maxillio thought to himself. It was uncle's fault for being a traitor! Now, focus on the mission! He snapped from the confines of his thoughts and returned to his present surroundings. Around him howled fearsome gales carrying battering sands. Sandstorms were common around New Krozere and were a sign that he was getting close. But, he had to be sure.

He burned canolum. Originating from his second stomach, he felt searing heat surge through his veins. The oil he had swallowed was combusted to release its power. With canolum oil, his senses were heightened far beyond their usual capacity. Ahead, he could now see the lights of the city and hear the rumbling of diesel trains. Above the city was a swarm of armoured airships, indicating that the military was present. They were doubtlessly there for the same reason he was: to follow the emperor's orders. They were to confiscate a peculiar item that had been discovered at New Krozere.

Inspirations:

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Characters

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Music

https://youtu.be/rSS-UHCHa38

More resources:
Dieselpunk Encyclopedia