So by this point most of us are familiar with the steampunk aesthetic. But how many people out there know about dieselpunk? Dieselpunk style is similar to steampunk, but there are distinct differences. While steampunk focuses on Victorian-age sci-fi, dieselpunk is based on the style and technology of the early 20th century, from World War I through World War II. The “punk” suffix on the word indicates its counter-cultural influence in regard to its opposition to historically-accurate and contemporary aesthetics. It’s similar in many ways to the noir styles of the time, though isn’t necessarily as dark.

The term “dieselpunk” was coined in 2001 by game designer Lewis Pollak to describe the style of his role-playing game Children of the Sun, but it has since grown to encompass the style of a number of mediums, including art, music, movies, fiction, and more. There are two basic styles of dieselpunk, one based on the roaring twenties with a mostly positive view of technology and culture, and the other based on World War II with a much darker style and often based on widespread warfare.

Below are more than 50 awesome dieselpunk artworks to give you a taste of what dieselpunk is all about!

Cars by RyanLovelock

KIEV Dieselpunk Hovercraft by Lipatov

Dieselpunk Hovercraft by Lipatov

Arrival in Utopia by Lipatov

DeiselPunk Gall by Kaaskop

Dieselpunk Robot by Chaingunchimp

Dieselpunk by Sedeptra

Dieselpunk Girl by Vadich

Desert Sands by Mykeamend

Soldier by Beaver-Skin

Gwen in Her Hepmobile Rocket by BWS

The Widowmaker by Davincisghost

090509 – Dispute by 600v

Claudia by Lipatov

Red Baroness by LadyDeuce

Mobilzitadelle “Franz-Josef I” by JanBoruta

The City of Tomorrow by BWS

Rush Hour by Malaveldt

250409 – BB2 3-4 by 600v

290809 – NFZ T1 v2 by 600v

210609 – NFZ A2 by 600v

Ironclas by MurderousAtomaton

Let’s Have Another Cup… by BWS

Aviatrix by Conceptbloke

Calling the Space Patrol by BWS

GateHouse Gazette 10 Cover by mykeamend

Eurocentric Liner by Stefanparis

Diesel City3 by Stefanparis

Retro-Futurism Poster Project by Inochi-zero

Wheel of Fortune by Mykeamend

Fasten Your Seat Belt by Stefanparis

At Your Usual Dealer by Stefanparis

Twentieth Century by Stefanparis

The Iron Baker by Kallini

Freedom in the Clouds by ViaruTarkin

Pegasus IV by Stefanparis

Panzerarmee “Radetzky” by JanBoruta

Grenadier by Vkucukemre

Space Spy by Innovari

Dieselpunk Airships by Tome Wilson