Category: Early memes Page 2 of 4

On August 4, 2025

In Captain's Log, Early memes

When chaos reigns and the gears fly wild, a true gentleperson tightens their cravat and carries on. Dignity is not optional.

This meme was brought to you by human imagination and another active automaton.

Facebook, 9th May 2025.

The image is a humorous, steampunk-style illustration in the form of a poster or an advertisement from a vintage publication. The background has a sepia-toned paper texture. The title at the top, in a large, capitalised font, reads “EXPLOSION? IN THIS WAISTCOAT?”.

The central figure is a well-dressed man with a handlebar moustache, wearing a top hat with a pair of goggles perched on the brim, and another smaller pair of goggles over his eyes. He is adjusting his cravat, and his expression is one of calm composure. He is wearing a waistcoat, a suit jacket, and a collared shirt.

The background is a chaotic, mechanical scene. To his left, there is a large, complex machine with numerous visible gears and pipes. In the upper-left corner, a dirigible floats in the sky. To his right, behind his shoulder, there is a large explosion or burst of fire and smoke. Despite the chaos, the man remains unfazed.

The caption at the bottom of the image, in the same bold, capitalised font, reads “REMAIN DAPPER. ADJUST YOUR CRAVAT.”

The meme’s meaning is to convey a sense of calm and unflappable confidence in the face of chaos, disaster, or overwhelming stress. The man’s meticulous attention to his cravat, while a literal explosion happens behind him, serves as a metaphor for maintaining one’s composure and priorities, no matter how dire the circumstances. The steampunk aesthetic adds a quirky, anachronistic layer to the humour.

The image features a whimsical steampunk-themed illustration, designed to resemble a poster or a page from an old-fashioned publication. Its background is a sepia-toned paper texture, while the top displays the title "ACTUAL ODDITIES YOU CAN OWN" in large, bold capital letters.

Actual Oddities You Can Own – #3: Baby Octopus in a Jar

On August 4, 2025

In Early memes, Oddities you can own

Actual Oddities You Can Own – #3: Baby Octopus in a Jar

Check it out on The Steampun stuff blog.

Disclaimer:

This cartoon is gloriously unhinged and not a literal depiction of the product. The baby octopus won’t glow, wink, or discuss steampunk politics. The oddity is real — the monocled lunatic is not. AI tools were unrealised in the creation of this post.

Facebook 6th May 2025.

The image is a humorous, steampunk-style illustration in the form of a poster or a page from a vintage publication. The background is a sepia-toned paper texture. The title at the top reads “ACTUAL ODDITIES YOU CAN OWN” in a bold, capitalized font.

The main subject is a smiling man with a large mustache, wearing a top hat with a gear on it, a monocle over his left eye, and a suit with a bow tie and a lapel pin that also features a gear. He has a wide, happy expression, with large, round glasses on his face.

Actual Oddities You Can Own – #3: Baby Octopus in a Jar

He is holding up a glowing jar with a small, stylized octopus inside. The jar is a mason jar with a label that says “BABY OCTOPUS IN A JAR.” The octopus inside is a golden-yellow color and appears to be floating in a liquid. The liquid is also yellow and has a glowing, wavy effect at the top, as if it’s emitting light or steam.

The bottom of the image has a caption in the same bold, capitalized font: “#3: BABY OCTOPUS IN A JAR.” The overall style combines Victorian-era aesthetics with steampunk elements, giving it a whimsical and anachronistic feel.

As well as a funny meme, there is a unique set of products on Etsy with glowing octopus sculptures in a jar.**

Check iy out **

**Sponsered link.

Victorian-style illustration of a calm woman holding a teacup and biscuit in front of a mechanical wall exploding with sparking cables. She appears unfazed. Text reads: “Sabotage on Deck Three? One problem at a time. Finish your biscuit.”

One problem at a time. Finish your biscuit.

In Captain's Log, Early memes

🧭 Meme Entry: Sabotage on Deck Three?

Facebook Caption: One problem at a time. Finish your biscuit.

Believe it or not, AI helped with this sketch without any artisans being harmed.

First posted 6th May 2025.

🖼️ Image Description:

In a richly detailed, Victorian-style etched illustration, a woman in late 19th-century attire stands with an air of calm resolve, holding a delicate teacup and a biscuit mid-dunk. She wears a high-necked dress with intricate embroidery and a pendant watch on a chain. Her expression is completely composed — almost bored.

Behind her, the airship’s mechanical interior has erupted into chaos. A tangle of thick, writhing pipes and cables has exploded in sparks, clearly suggesting sabotage or malfunction. Despite this dramatic event, the woman remains unfazed, fully focused on the critical matter of tea and biscuits.

Text at the top reads: “Sabotage on Deck Three?”

Below: “One problem at a time. Finish your biscuit.”

Hashtags at the bottom include: #airshiplife #steampunghumor #biscuitfirst #shipboardmanners

🧐 Meme Explanation:

This meme is a celebration of steampunk stoicism and utterly misplaced priorities — in the best way possible.

Faced with what appears to be a catastrophic mechanical failure aboard an airship, our character chooses calm, civility, and biscuit protocol over panic. The phrase “One problem at a time” underscores the absurd but relatable sentiment: yes, sabotage is happening — but first, the tea ritual must be completed.

Like earlier entries in the series, this image exaggerates British manners to the point of parody, poking fun at the cultural impulse to remain composed even in the most ridiculous of emergencies. It also subtly satirises modern burnout culture — where crises pile up, yet we’re still told to “stay calm and carry on”… or at least finish our snack.

The disclaimer “AI helped with this sketch without any artisans being harmed” playfully acknowledges the AI-generated nature of the artwork, reinforcing the Automaton Improvisation aesthetic that runs throughout this meme series.

Victorian-style etched illustration of a composed gentleman in a suit calmly drinking tea while a swirling time rift spirals behind him, filled with floating pocket watches and warped architecture. Caption reads: “Spontaneous Time Rift? Terribly inconvenient. Sip faster.”

Spontaneous Time Rift Etiquette: When Temporal Anomalies Interrupt Tea.

🕰️ Meme Entry: Spontaneous Time Rift?

Original post date: 5th May 2025

Facebook caption: Spontaneous Time Rift? Terribly inconvenient. Sip faster.

🖼️ Image Description:

A finely dressed Victorian gentleman sits in a poised yet unbothered manner, holding a delicate teacup mid-sip. Behind him, an intricately etched swirl of temporal chaos unfolds — pocket watches spiral through the air, architectural elements twist impossibly, and streams of time coil like smoke. Despite the obvious vortex of time unravelling in the background, the man remains entirely composed, focusing solely on his tea.

The artwork is rendered in a richly detailed Victorian illustration style, with sepia tones enhancing its antiquated charm. The text at the top reads “Spontaneous Time Rift?” while the caption at the bottom deadpans: “Terribly inconvenient. Sip faster.”

🧭 Meme Explanation:

This was one of the earliest entries in what would later evolve into the Captain’s Log meme series — though at the time, there was no Jenkins, no official log, just an absurd scenario handled with excessive British decorum.

The humour lies in the calmly exaggerated understatement. Faced with a spontaneous rupture in the very fabric of time — something that should elicit panic — the gentleman’s only concern is maintaining his tea ritual. The phrase “Sip faster” pokes fun at a stiff-upper-lip attitude in the face of utter disaster, a recurring theme in steampunk and British satire.

It set the tone for future memes: refined individuals responding to bizarre catastrophes with impeccable manners and mildly annoyed expressions. A visual and textual blueprint for the kind of absurd resilience that would soon define life aboard the airship.

The image is an Etched Victorian book-style picture of a steampunk variation on George Lucas's Darth Vader from Star Wars.

Join me, and together we shall rule the galaxy… with brass fittings and impeccable tailoring.

Join me, and together we shall rule the galaxy… with brass fittings and impeccable tailoring.”
A collaboration between one human, one machine, and a great deal of tea.

Facebook 4th May 2025. Star Wars Day!

Exploring the Quirky Charm of the Steampunk Darth Vader Meme

In the universe of internet memes, beloved characters are often reimagined in humorous ways, and a striking example is a steampunk twist on a classic Star Wars quote: “Join me, and together we shall rule the galaxy—with brass fittings and impeccable tailoring.” This playful alteration of Darth Vader’s iconic invitation blends the dark essence of the character with the whimsical aesthetics of the steampunk genre, celebrating creativity and craftsmanship. Accompanied by a Victorian-style illustration of Vader adorned with intricate brass fittings, this meme captures both humour and artistry, showcasing how even the most brooding figures can be given a delightful makeover.

What makes this meme particularly appealing is its broad resonance with fans of all kinds. By tapping into the nostalgia surrounding Star Wars while adding a layer of creativity that steampunk enthusiasts and casual viewers can appreciate, it stands out as a light-hearted celebration of imagination and collaboration. As it reminds us of the endless possibilities within artistic reimaginings, this steampunk Darth Vader invites everyone to enjoy the playful interplay of cultural influences and perhaps even inspire their own creative endeavours.

The visual component of the meme features a smaller Alice interacting with a caterpillar that is perched on a mushroom, smoking a hookah pipe, an image reminiscent of the whimsical and nonsensical nature of Wonderland.

“I Can’t Go Back to Yesterday”: Reflections on Change and Growth in Wonderland

In Early memes, Quotes

“I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.”

— Alice, in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

The image was lovingly hallucinated by AI in the style of Sir John Tenniel. It shows a smaller Alice talking to the caterpillar that is sitting on a mushroom, smoking his hookah pipe.

No caterpillars were harmed in the making of this meme.

Facebook 3rd May 2025

This meme draws its inspiration from a famous quote by Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland** by Lewis Carroll, which reflects on the theme of personal growth and change. The quote, “I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then,” highlights the idea that with each day, we evolve due to our experiences and choices. It resonates with many people who feel they can never return to past versions of themselves.

The visual component of the meme features a smaller Alice interacting with a caterpillar that is perched on a mushroom, smoking a hookah pipe, an image reminiscent of the whimsical and nonsensical nature of Wonderland. This scene is drawn in the style of Sir John Tenniel, the original illustrator of the book, which adds a layer of nostalgia and authenticity for fans of the story.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (Illustrated): The 1865 Classic Edition with Original Illustrations — Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Illustrated): The 1865 Classic Edition with Original Illustrations. **

The caterpillar symbolises transformation, as it is often seen as a metaphor for change and growth, mirroring Alice’s own journey throughout Wonderland. The hookah pipe adds a surreal, almost psychedelic touch, connecting it to themes of exploration and self-discovery.

The playful disclaimer, “No caterpillars were harmed in the making of this meme,” injects a humorous tone, implying a lighthearted approach to the often deep themes presented in the story.

Overall, this meme combines a thought-provoking quote with a whimsical visual, encouraging viewers to reflect on their own transformations and the importance of embracing change, all while enjoying a playful take on a beloved classic.

**Sponsered links.

Own Land On The Moon. Actual oddities you can own – #2 Moon Land Deeds.

In Early memes, Oddities you can own

Own Land on the Moon: An Expandable Meme.

Imagine owning a piece of land on the moon—a concept as whimsical as it is absurd. The “Moon Land Deeds” meme originally came to life as a lighthearted way to promote a product that allowed enthusiasts to purchase a deed claiming ownership of a plot on the lunar surface. While the actual sale of these deeds has since ceased, the meme has taken on a life of its own, captivating the imagination of people everywhere.

The humor lies in the very idea of owning a part of the moon, a celestial body that has fascinated humanity for centuries. The absurdity of the situation—the notion that one could possess land in an uninhabitable place far beyond our reach—is what makes this meme so entertaining. It plays on our dreams of exploration, adventure, and the desire to claim uncharted territories, even if those territories are light-years away.

Accompanying the text is a whimsical image of a steampunk cartoon character. Dressed in a mix of Victorian-era attire and fantastical gadgets, this character proudly holds a framed deed, grinning in delight. The caption reads, “Own your plot on the moon… No rocket ship needed,” which cleverly highlights the unrealistic yet amusing nature of the proposition. It humorously suggests that anyone can become a ‘lunar landowner’ without the need for space travel, making the joke accessible to all.

As the meme spreads, it prompts discussions about land ownership, our relationship with extraterrestrial territories, and even the commercialisation of space exploration. It invites people to dream beyond earthly boundaries and consider the possibilities that await us in the cosmos.

In essence, the “Own Land on the Moon” meme encapsulates a playful spirit and a curiosity about the universe, while also serving as a reminder of the absurdity of certain aspects of consumer culture. Who wouldn’t chuckle at the idea of claiming ownership of a piece of the moon—after all, it’s not every day you encounter a deal like that!

An old-fashioned-style illustration in sepia tones shows a woman with a serious expression, wearing a top hat and a tailored jacket. Her left arm is a detailed mechanical prosthetic made of brass and gears. Text on the left reads: "I'm a lady, but when provoked, I become a mechanized tempest forged in brass and fury— an exquisitely calibrated engine of wrath that will dismantle your very sense of existence. And when I'm in fine spirits, I bake scones and polish my airship."

I’m a Lady.

On July 29, 2025

Original post.

I’m a lady, but…

Crafted with equal parts imagination, caffeine, and a very agreeable AI assistant. No sentient artists were startled in the making of this meme.

-Facebook 1st May 2025.

This meme features a woman in a stylish steampunk outfit, complete with a top hat and a mechanical arm made of brass and gears. Her serious expression captures the essence of empowerment in the steampunk genre, where elegance meets industrial strength. The illustration is done in a detailed, old-fashioned style, perfectly suiting the theme.

The text humorously contrasts traditional femininity with an unexpected, fierce persona. It begins with, “I’m a lady,” suggesting politeness and fragility. However, it quickly shifts to, “But when provoked, I become a mechanised tempest forged in brass and fury,” illustrating an intense and powerful character capable of dismantling reality for those who cross her. The humorous twist comes in the final line, “And when I’m in fine spirits, I bake scones and polish my airship,” blending domesticity with a whimsical steampunk flair.

Full text on the meme reads…
“I’m a lady, but when provoked, I become a mechanized tempest forged in brass and fury— an exquisitely calibrated engine of wrath that will dismantle your very sense of existence.
And when I’m in fine spirits, I bake scones and polish my airship.”

Overall, this meme celebrates the duality of personality—combining strength and elegance while challenging stereotypes of femininity. It resonates with those who identify with having contrasting sides, highlighting how one can embrace both nurturing and formidable traits in a playful and empowering way.

An old-fashioned, cross-hatched illustration shows a woman in a formal 19th-century gown with a prominent corset and a small top hat. She holds a newspaper titled "SCANDAL" in one hand and a glass in the other, with a calm, unbothered expression. The text above her reads "SCANDAL? IN THIS CORSET" and below, "Darling, let them talk."

Scandal? In this corset…

On July 29, 2025