On my last rambling Steampulp vs Steampunk, I described what makes a work truly steampunk vs steampulp. In this one, I will describe what makes a work steampunk vs dieselpunk. Both are punk speculative fiction genres that have four key elements: the setting, a sense of retrofuturism, key aesthetics, and the punk element. 

Let's begin with retrofuturism. Both steampunk and dieselpunk works are derived from the ideals, aesthetics, and overall atmosphere/mood of a historical time period. Steampunk draws inspiration from the Victorian Era (1837 - 1901) and the Edwardian Era (1901 - 1914) when steam power was dominant. Dieselpunk on the other hand, draws inspiration from the years 1919 - 1950) where the internal combustion engine and oil-powered technologies became dominant and the optimism of pre World War 1 years had been cruelly shattered by the Great War. World War 1 itself serves as a transition period between steampunk and dieselpunk. We as writers of the modern age are looking back (retro) at a historical time period and are either coming up with invented worlds based off that time period, or are thinking of scenarios where technology was either more advanced during that time or that time period lasted longer than it historically did (futurism). 

As a result of their historical inspiration, both steampunk and dieselpunk have unique aesthetics associated with them. Because steampunk draws upon the Victorian and Edwardian Eras, it is concerned with both form and function. Steampunk objects are very ornate and well-decorated. Gears and clockwork and fine patterns depicting plants, anImals, geometry, and whatever else suits the artist's fancy adorned objects associated with steampunk. Steampunk of course also features roaring steam engines powering its many fantastic technologies. Steampunk also has an exquisite sense of fashion featuring top hats, goggles, trench coats, parasols, boots, monocles, canes, frilly dresses and all other fashionable items derived from Victorian and Edwardian times. Dieselpunk on the other hand, forgoes the ornate, exquisite style of steampunk in favour of art deco designs that are more simplistic, yet majestic and effective in conveying their message. Film noir, or black and white films, are also a staple. The world has become much more industrialized and once amazing technologies now have a feeling of familiarity to them. In terms of fashion, dieselpunk is more modern than steampunk and draws inspiration from the Roaring Twenties all the way through World War 2. Women now wear simpler jackets and often high heels and plain skirts. Top hats and bowler hats in the steampunk age have now become fedoras. Monocles have become replaced with full glasses. Trench coats are still popular and World War 2 inspired soldier uniforms are also a staple alongsisde any other fashion trends derived from the years 1919 - 1950. 

The setting is also key to dieselpunk just as it is for steampunk. In steampunk, you've got all manner of fantastic steam technologies dominating the landscape. You have fantastic airships, majestic ocean liners, steam trains, and maybe even mecha featured in steampunk works. Everything is ornately decorated, emphasizing both form and function. A feeling of optimism permeates the air. The more fantastic (within reason) the technology, the better. Technology in the Victorian and Edwardian Eras had a feeling of being unique, new, and astonishing. Think about the first light bulbs, electrification, the building of the Eiffel Tower resulting a breathtaking view of Paris, the first Ferris wheel, four stacker ocean liners prowling the waves and the coming of rigid airships. These technologies were like nothing the world had ever seen before and they transformed society. Creativity, inventiveness, and the arts flourished. However, these technologies would not have been for everyone. Class hierarchy and social barriers were commonplace. Factories were very dangerous to their workers. The idea of innocence in childhood emerged in the Victorian Era and would also be found in a steampunk setting. Even in war, there was a sense of optimism. At the very start of World War 1, millions of people thought that the war would be a short one, over by summer's end and the Germans and British troops even had a truce on Christmas of 1914. Contrast that with dieselpunk where the former optimism of pre-war years had been shattered and replaced by a sense of world-weariness. The Great Depression and World War 2 loomed on the horizon. And yet, there was still a sense of glamour. Cinema thrived with the advent of colour and sound although film noir was still dominant. Vastness of invention fills dieselpunk as man is dwarfed by his creations powered by oil. This was the age of the modern battleship, high-tech tanks, the coming of age of aircraft carriers, and new ways of waging warfare. Blitzkrieg emerged and the stagnant trenches of World War 1 had been replaced by more mobile but equally atrocious battles. The seas were filled with modern, luxurious ocean liners like the Rex, Europa, Normandie, and Queen Mary. In the skies, gargantuan airships like the Hindenburg and Graf Zeppelin fought with the new, trendy airplanes for the public's attention (and money). Vast mega-corporations emergd, like Chrysler, operating vast production facilities and aiming to sell to the masses and establish themselves as corporate powerhouses. Skyscrapers like the Empire State dominated the skylines. Societal values were also changing. The Prohibition arrived as did a coming of women's suffrage movements. Totalitarian regimes were gaining power and powerful empires now struggle to deal with economic turmoil after the Great War. The more thought you give to your setting, the better it will be. Steampunk and dieselpunk are defined just as much by the setting as they are by the characters and plot. 

The last element that both steampunk and dieselpunk feature is the punk element. Punk refers to social commentary and a sense of resistance or rebellion against social norms. Punk works have both the glamour and the grime that comes with a steam or oil powered setting. For steampunk, you have fantastic new technologies, stunning architecture, ornate decorations, and the fine arts. However, you also have poverty amongst the lower classes, extreme nationalism, anti-LGBT feelings, a suspicion of foreigners, racism, sexism, and Social Darwinism. Steampunk shows the glamour that comes with a steam-driven setting and then either subverts it or contrasts it with the grime that also exists. The protagonists resist or rebel against social norms. Maybe they are engaging in a romance but class differences prevent them from being together and they must overcome it. Maybe they face prejudice in the military and must prove themselves. There are many ways you could show the punk element in your stories. Dieselpunk, just like steampunk, also has the punk element to it. You have fantastic technologies becoming more commonplace and accessible to the average joe alongside amazing new inventions and flourishing cities. However, you also have horrific living conditions in many peoples' native lands, leading to mass immigration to other places. You still have poverty running rampant as post war turmoil and the Great Depression sets in. Dieselpunk also shows rebellion or resistance to social norms. Maybe the more widely available technologies aren't as good as they first seemed and have now created new socioeconomic problems. Maybe that seemingly nice, supposedly democratic leader the people have elected turned out to be a dictator that has eroded civil rights and the protagonists must resist or rebel against this leader. Maybe one country is being unjustly punished and must find ways to stand up for itself despite being viewed by practically everyone else as the cause of a war that has ravaged the world. It is worthwhile to think about what themes and social resistance (or rebellion) lies at the heart of your story because that can help determine other aspects such as the setting, the characters, the plot, etc. However, one must include the punk element in both steampunk and dieselpunk. 

All in all, steampunk and dieselpunk must meet four quintessential elements: a sense of retrofuturism, key aesthetics, a steam or oil driven setting respectively, and the punk element. Think about Final Fantasy VI vs Final Fantasy VII. Neither of them emphasize the punk element enough to truly be considered punk, but they'll still serve as useful examples. Final Fantasy VI shows exquisite fashion trends alongside operas, fine arts, and all manner of fantastic steam-powered technologies. It has roaring steam engines, steamships prowling the waves, airships, mecha, and ornate decorations adorning many, many objects. Final Fantasy VI serves as an example of steampunk.  Final Fantasy VII on the other hand, features many technologies powered by Mako (a liquid analagous to oil). Cars, motorcycles, and refineries decorate the landscape and the architecture is much more modern (like what you would find post World War 2). Advanced technologies are much more commonplace and have a sense of familiarity to them and the fashion trends look much more modern than in Final Fantasy VI. Final Fantasy VII also features the mega-corporation Shinra, just like how gargantuan companies appeared post World War I and the sense of optimism that once dominated the lands have been replaced by a sense of world-weariness. Final Fantasy VII is a fairly good example of dieselpunk. 

Oh, and one final thing. I have often been asked if magic fits in with a dieselpunk setting. Just as with steampunk and steampulp, I say yes as long as you include the four quintessential elements to it. I personally include magic in my own works. My practice novel Their Shadow Forgeries features magic as does my upcoming dieselpunk story The Advent of Maxillio Merendez.