Nimmer’s Grand Steampunk Exhibition
The show is at the Wood Museum of Springfield History (21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA) and opens on Saturday, March 22 during regular museum hours – 10am to 5pm and will remain on view until September 28, 2014.
On display is a re-creation of the one and only known steampunk machine that was built by the Schlermer, Schloutmer and Schlitmeinster Schteampunk Company of Springfield, MA around 1844. This factory made use of a primitive assembly line to organize completely unrelated parts and useless components to make things (or “thingamabobictums” as they were known at the time). These machines were notorious for using devices that weren’t invented yet. Unfortunately, S.S.S.S.S. Company was in business for only three weeks before its own workers burned it to the ground.
The disgruntled workers were distraught because this steampunk factory made devices that only looked cool, but had no actual purpose except to look like they did something… but they didn’t. There were no customers for such devices until the advent of the Home Shopping Network more than a century and a half later. Not wanting to pass judgment, Nimmer thinks we can all agree that this visionary company was far ahead of its time!
Photos of the steampunk sculpture that Dean Nimmer, Gary Hallgren and Peter Dellert made for the Steampunk show in Springfield, MA. In addition, Nimmer created a collage based on the steampunk theme along with his friend Janet Stupak that is part of the show as well.