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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Steampunk” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71, number 21240 of the collection, and the 210th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Steampunk” meme mean?
Online, the concept is used to describe or playfully transform modern gadgets into ornate, steam-driven contraptions. It represents an admiration for handcrafted mechanical marvels, brass plating, and alternative history where nineteenth-century innovation never stopped advancing.
Where does the “Steampunk” meme come from?
The movement was not sparked by an online clip, but in print by American science fiction author K. W. Jeter. In a letter published by the magazine Locus in April 1987, Jeter proposed the playful label “steampunks” as an analogy to cyberpunk. He wanted a unifying description for the Victorian-themed speculative fiction penned by himself and fellow writers Tim Powers and James Blaylock. The term gradually spread beyond literature, inspiring visual artists, craft conventions, and widespread digital fandoms.
- April 1987Author K. W. Jeter coins the label “steampunks” in a letter published by Locus magazine.
How to use the “Steampunk” meme
- Posting an image of a laptop modded with antique copper pipes and clockwork gears.
- Complimenting an elaborate costume featuring Victorian tailoring and brass aviator goggles.
- Describing an alternative-history scenario where airships dominate modern travel.
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The “Steampunk” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21240 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Rare |
| Collection | Memes World series 71 |
| Fame | 71/100 · #210 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 10 MemeCoins (30 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Steampunk” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Steampunk comes out of the Memes World series 71 as a rare card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 10 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Steampunk”
More cards of the Memes World series 71
Frequently asked questions
What does Steampunk mean?
It refers to a retro-futuristic subgenre and style where nineteenth-century Victorian aesthetics merge with steam-powered machinery. Common hallmarks include brass fixtures, intricate gears, and airships.
Who coined the term Steampunk?
American science fiction writer K. W. Jeter invented the word in April 1987 in a humorous nod to the cyberpunk genre.
Where does Steampunk originate?
It first appeared in a letter printed by the science fiction periodical Locus in April 1987 to categorize historical fantasy works by K. W. Jeter, Tim Powers, and James Blaylock.
How do I get the Steampunk meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Steampunk” is a rare card of the Memes World series 71. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Steampunk card?
It is a Rare card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: Steampunk: Origin, Meaning & History of the Aesthetic · What is Steampunk? - The Association Of Ishtar · Déborah (@dvorahfr) on X · checked on October 12, 2026.
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Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.