There’s something about mechanical constructions of brass cogs and gears that serves as an antidote to the silent, hidden workings of today’s digital tech.

So it's no surprise that "steampunk," which combines the aesthetic of a non-existent, clockwork-driven Victorian high-tech boom with a healthy DIY attitude, is getting crazy popular. For proof, look no further than the upcoming Maker Faire, which is expected to draw thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors, many of whose homemade contraptions have a decidedly Victorian aesthetic.