It's called steampunk, and it's alive and well at in Edmonds' Old Milltown plaza.
So what's steampunk?
It's a term to collectively describe visions of a technological future forged prior to the internal combustion engine. It is populated by quirky inventors and their fantastic machines, complex clockworks and bizarre conveyances, all powered by steam.
Think of H.G. Wells and Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, as well as the recent movie Hugo, and you'll get the idea.
Owners Brynn Watson and Ahren Paulson have been fascinated by the visions of 19th century futurists like Wells and Jules Verne since childhood. Their new store, Otherworlds, feels like a museum examining a past that never was.
"We want to create a place where customers can step out of the usual and into something different and interesting," says Watson.
Otherworlds offers an array of books, clothing, accessories and artifacts all evoking the world of steampunk. In addition there are comfortable game areas and easy chairs for sipping tea, reading,and taking a few hours vacation from our everyday lives and into a vision of the future as seen from the 19th century.
Looks to me like a great place to while away a rainy Edmonds afternoon. See you there.
