Although many other works published between 1960 and 1970 can be seen nowadays fundamental within the genus, the term steampunk It originated in 1980 as an irony to the cyberpunk genre.

It can be considered that this term was coined by the author of science fiction K. W. Jeter, that was trying to find a term unified works of Tim Powers, James Blaylock, and his same.

The influence which feeds to the current steampunk is, mainly, in the primitive sci-fi found in the works created during the 19TH century, as well as the most characteristic elements of society and culture present in this particular historical period, with a special emphasis on the British culture of the times, Victorian and Edwardian.

Despite being an almost unknown author for readers, the Edward Page Mitchell's short stories, they have proved to be also a great inspiration for the steampunk and for science fiction in general, pointing to examples such as The Crystal Man (1881), The Clock that Went Backward (1881), The Tachypomp (1874) and The Ablest Man in the World (1879) where can we find themes such as invisibility, the time travel, the Robotics and the teletrasporte.