Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Is it an Inkblot? Is it a Robot? No it's Koenig's Steam Printing Press by Jillian Kent

Koenig's Steam Printing Press

I've toyed with the idea of writing Steampunk some day. If you're asking what Steampunk is here's a definition via Wikipedia, " Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery,[1] especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American "Wild West", in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power." More here.

When I discovered this picture of Koenig's Steam Press I knew I'd definitely have to write a story around this little beauty some day. I love the Victorian era and haven't yet written anything of that time. But honestly, when you look at this picture don't you envision a kind of cute robot with square eyes and funky ears. Maybe it will eventually be my first e-book.

The real scoop is that this is a picture of Koenig's Steam Press. This steam press was a high speed printing press during the time of Jane Austen. On November 29th 1814 an issue of The Times was printed using this marvelous machine. Then on December 3, 1824 this issue of, The Times appeared. I think you'll find it fascinating.

If you enjoy this type of reading I encourage you to take a look at this lengthy article entitled, KOENIG: his first Powered Printing Machines.

Although this type of printing was born during the time of Jane Austen I couldn't discover how Jane's books were printed. It must be out there somewhere. Anyone know?

If you were going to write or read Steampunk what kind of machine, etc. would you want to write or read about? Anyone have a favorite?


Friederick Koenig 1774-1833







Jillian Kent loves England's Regency era. In 2013 her second book in The Ravensmoore Chronicles, Chameleon, finaled in both the Selah at Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in romance fiction and in Romance Writers of America's prestigious Daphne du Maurier for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. Jillian is employed as a counselor for nursing students in Cincinnati, Ohio and possesses a masters degree in social work. She is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors and passionate about mental health, wellness, and stomping out the stigma of mental illness. You can reach her at jill@jilliankent.com and explore further at her website www.jilliankent.com.You can also find her on Twitter @JillKentAuthor and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JillianKent 




6 comments:

  1. Hi Jillian! I just read my very first Steampunk trilogy last month and loved it! While I enjoyed the romance and the robots & other odd-ball inventions - it being a paranormal genre - I was less impressed by the vampires, werewolves, fairies, etc that also lived on the pages in Victorian London! So I would love, love, love to read anything Steampunk that was also in the Christian or sweet market as well! So please write some - I'll totally eat it up!
    And the above picture of the steam press reminds me of the cute face of Johnny-5 from movie "Short Circuit" from the early 1980's!
    P.S. What about the book you were tossing around in your head about the huge jewelry treasure found by construction(?) workers in England you posted about a few months ago? I'm itchin' to read that too, as soon as you write it!!

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  2. Hi Kam!
    Wow! I'm so excited by your response. I can't believe you even remember the post on The Lost Jewels of London. I wish I were a fast writer but with a day job and family responsibilities I'm just not as fast as some. I've currently got 6 story ideas including the ones mentioned and am currently working on two of them. I think Steampunk could be great fun. I never watched Johnny-5 from "Short Circuit." I'll have to go look him up.

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  3. Jillian, what a wonderful little invention. My daughters and I do love steampunk. Very interesting genre. I hope you get to write that book someday. Maybe you can have the little robot in the story.

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    1. That's awesome, Nancy. When I write that book that printing press will be in it. I can't resist. :)

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  4. Jillian, Kathleen Y'barbo recently released a Christian romance trilogy with a steampunk thread. It's really good--and there are no vampires or others sort of creatures. :) The first book in the series is Flora's Wish.

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    1. Vickie, thanks for sharing that. I had no idea. Will have to check that out!

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