Sign in

Zebulon Vitruvius Pike

@vitruviuspike.bsky.social
346 followers 529 following 1.1K posts

Gentleman adventurer, mercenary explorer, dime novel hero, and itinerant warrior in Meiji-era America. dime-novel-hero.dreamwidth.org #steampunk #19thC #victorian #airships #shootingsports #firearms #cowboyaction #spaghettiwestern #cosplay #noai

PostsRepliesMedia
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
At the @theliberalgunclub.com convention, I had my first chance to shoot a 50 cal monstrosity. Here is the shot at half speed. Awesome, but honestly, it is not the sort of thing I would want to do regularly. #firearms #cyberpunk
000
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Fake History Hunter @fakehistoryhunter.net · 28/09/2026
Turned another old thread into an article for easier reading and because I just love this subject so much: Women and their favourite weapons anno 1900. You can read it here: fakehistoryhunter.net/2026/09/28/w... Or here: fakehistoryhunter.substack.com/p/women-and-...
fakehistoryhunter.net
Women and their favourite weapons anno 1900
Just reading old newspapers… as one does, when I found this gem from the Chicago Sunday Tribune from 1900.It’s about the weapons of offence and defence used by women in one year in Chic…
813434
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
When his stated mission statement "is to find and train under-represented groups," why would any woman want to take one of his courses as he ridicules one of those under-represented groups regularly? "Certified instructor, range safety officer, US Navy veteran", and sexist shitwank.
The meme post by @atlrizzo.bluesky.social, owner of Ophidian Tactical Solutions in Atlanta, Georgia. Rizzo os quoting himself, saying "I wonder if any policeman has ever managed to keep a straight face while telling a woman she has the right to remain silent." This sort of Ralph Cramden, domestic violence humor in no way supports his business' mission statement tom "to find and train under represented groups" by ridiculing one of those underrepresented groups directly. Shame on him.
#firearms
010
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Diana M. Pho (she/her) 📚 🔊 @dianapho.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hold my mustache and suspenders, steampunk is coming back.
1206
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 23/09/2026
Many creators and small businesses with Facebook pages (including those in #steampunk) will have to pay $49 to $499 per month if they want more than two monthly posts that contain external links. It’s another example of #enshittification on the platform. steampunk-explorer.com/news/new-met...
steampunk-explorer.com
New Meta Service Brings Unwelcome Change for Creators on Facebook
Meta has rolled out a new subscription service called Meta One that offers a variety of features for users of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. But it comes with bad news for creators—including those...
033
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 18/09/2026
This week in #steampunk: Scenes from the Big River Steampunk Festival; Scenes from Worldcon 2026; New Kickstarters: Lady Mechanika, Casket Girls, Morgana Pendragon; Weekend calendar. steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steam...
Steampunk Digest - The week’s top stories from The Steampunk Explorer. With photos from the Big River Steampunk Festival by Curt Knapp.
0103
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
"On September 17, 1859, Joshua Norton published a letter in a San Francisco newspaper declaring himself Emperor of the United States. This being San Francisco, the citizens embraced their new leader and Norton I., Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico would reign for 21 years."
This is a copy of a National Park Service LEGO Vignettes Facebook post. The entire text is as follows:

"On September 17, 1859, Joshua Norton published a letter in a San Francisco newspaper declaring himself Emperor of the United States.  This being San Francisco, the citizens embraced their new leader and Norton I., Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico would reign for 21 years.  In that time he issued his own money and made a number of decrees, including calls for a bridge connecting San Francisco and Oakland.  Efforts to name the Bay Bridge in his honor have yet to succeed, and we assume the lack of a National Park celebrating our first Emperor are simply an embarrassing oversight.  Long live Emperor Norton!"

The image is of a Lago minifig of Emperor Norton seated in a chair, wearing a blue military uniform, braids and epaulettes, a naval bicorn hat with a red feather. He has a sword and, for some reason, an umbrella.

#19thc #victorian #legoparkranger #lego #nps
121
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Many problems could genuinely be solved by building giant airships. Just don't expect that problem solved to be expansive cost.
010
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Chicken bones from lunch used as ballast, butterflies glimpsed at 5,000 feet — Travels in the Air (1871 edition) gathers remarkable tales from the early days of ballooning, accompanied by more than 100 beautiful illustrations: publicdomainreview.org/collection/t…
212539
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Jess Nevins @jessnevins.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
I hate myself for thinking of this, much less typing it here for the world to see. The Unseelie Court of Judge Roy Bean Síde. The fae of the Old West. Elven gunslingers (shooting bronze bullets & riding unicorns), their cattle of bounty herded by black dogs.
6354
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 11/09/2026
This week in #steampunk: Scenes from Weekend at the Asylum; Carriger reveals new book title; New Prof. Elemental single; Key City announces 2027 dates and theme; Costume-Con is back; Designer pens on Kickstarter; Weekend calendar. steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steam...
Steampunk Digest - The week’s top stories from The Steampunk Explorer. With photos of costumed participants at a steampunk festival. Photos by Pavlito vel Pablo.
084
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Fake History Hunter @fakehistoryhunter.net · 06/09/2026
I love it when our ancestors predicted the future. These French illustrations tell us what people in ca 1910 thought the world would be like a century later. Some of these were pretty close! Let's take a look. (original here: gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/b...)
822662
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 04/09/2026
This week in #steampunk: Dragon Con & Burning Man previews; "Firefly" stars at Dragon Con; Streaming Guide; “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” inspires reality TV; Bandcamp Friday; Scenes from GalaxyCon; Jewelry City news; Hugo winners; New SPG member. steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steam...
Steampunk Digest - The week’s top stories from The Steampunk Explorer. With photos from the Big River Steampunk Festival, Dragon Con, and Burning Man. Photo credits: Curt Knapp, Phil Mistry/Shutterstock, NorthSky Films/Shutterstock.
082
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I have worn a top hat but I don't think it looked good on me. A fez, on the other hand. . .
000
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Corey S. Powell @coreyspowell.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Happy Carrington Event Day to all who celebrate. On Sept 2-3, 1859, a huge solar flare hit Earth with the most intense magnetic storm on record. Auroras bloomed, magnetometers went wild, and telegraph machines sparked around the world. 🧪 link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Carrington’s (1859) carefully executed drawing of his sunspot group 520 on 1 September 1859, the first visual record of a solar flare. The initial (A and B) and final (C and D) positions of the white-light emission are indicated. Solar east is to the right. Below: Enlargement of region 520 from an early solar photograph made at Kew Observatory by Warren De la Rue on 31 August 1859.
27527
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Spaghetti Western Database (SWDb) @swdb.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Trailer: Once Upon a Time in the West www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8CJ...
youtube.com
Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) ORIGINAL TRAILER [FHD]
YouTube video by HD Retro Trailers
0175
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 28/08/2026
This week in #steampunk: Big River preview; Scenes from the San Francisco Historium Spotlight; Netflix releases “Bass X Machina” trailer; New “Gilded Age” season arrives Nov. 1; Abney Park streaming concert; Weekend calendar. steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steam...
Steampunk Digest - The week’s top stories from The Steampunk Explorer. With photos from the Big River Steampunk Festival and San Francisco Historium Spotlight. Credits: Big River photos by Curt Knapp. Historium photos by The Steampunk Explorer.
071
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
This is the way. #steampunk #teadueling #starwars #mandolorian
030
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Reporting History @reporting-history.com · 24/08/2026
#OTD #Aviation #History news - I am still waiting for luxury airship travel. Definitely beats Economy Plus! #Airship #Zeppelin #Travel
reporting-history.com
Dirigible To Be Master Of Skies
Lt. Com. Rosendahl Predicts Giant Airships For Travelers INVULNERABLE IN WARS Present Experiments But Leading Up To This, He Says—European Trip in Three Days, Is One of His Predictions. Lakehurst, N. J., Aug. 24 (AP)—The navy dirigible Los Angeles is, in effect, a 700 foot test tube with which aviators-scientists are conducting experiments looking toward eventual complete conquest of the air by man.
031
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
New Comga @newcomga.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Bass X Machina is a violent steampunk Western coming from Yasuke creator LeSean Thomas and Studio Mir—the animation powerhouse behind The Legend of Korra & parts of X-Men ’97! Brian Tyree Henry leads a stacked voice cast featuring Janelle Monáe, Tati Gabrielle and Cree Summer.
041
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Repost with your earliest childhood crush from film/tv.
010
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
The Ravine FieldPro markets itself as superior active noise reduction. 31dB. Not wanting to be deaf when I am an old man, I checked specifications and reviews and placed an order. I have opinions. . . dime-novel-hero.dreamwidth.org/2026/08/15/ #shootingsports
000
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Westerns & the Old West @davidlambertart.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
A 🧵 on the only two authenticated photos of Doc Holliday...
14811
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 14/08/2026
This week in #steampunk: Asylum festival preview; Scenes from Hebden Bridge; New Dust Bowl Faeries album; Clockwork Alchemy announces special guests; “Tesla vs. Edison” reader discount; “The Soiled Dove” returns; New fiction; Weekend calendar. steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steam...
Steampunk Digest - The week’s top stories from The Steampunk Explorer. With photos from Hebden Bridge Steampunk Weekend by Fitchett’s Photography.
052
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Trains! Staring Liam Neeson as Isembard Kingdom Brunel. . . and everyone else. #trains #19thc #19thcentury #victorian #steampunk www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHqi...
youtube.com
Ulster in Focus - Trains (BBC)
YouTube video by Culture Vulture Rises
010
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
#OnThisDay in 1946, H. G. Wells passed away, leaving the future (about which he wrote so much) to others. Peter J. Bowler explores Wells' ideas of progress and how for him the notion of a better future was riddled with complexities. publicdomainreview.org/essay/h... #otd
16711
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
View through the colander yesterday... . 🌑 ☀️ . (Also: Total Eclipse of the Sun, 1882. Chromolithograph after a pastel drawing by astronomer, artist, and amateur entomologist Étienne Léopold Trouvelot: publicdomainreview.org/collection/t...)
A 19th-century astronomical print titled "Total Eclipse of the Sun," showing the black disc of the moon during totality against a dark green-black sky, surrounded by pale radiating streamers of the sun's corona and a small reddish solar prominence at the lower left. Text below reads "Observed July 29, 1878, at Creston, Wyoming Territory," signed E.L. Trouvelot.
09622
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
How NOT to watch the eclipse today! A Conjugal Eclipse, from J. J. Grandville's Another World, 1844. One of several Grandville prints available in our shop: publicdomainreview.org/shop/fine-ar… #eclipse #solareclipse
210327
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Reporting History @reporting-history.com · 11/08/2026
Vanderbilt launches eponymous sidewheel steamer in New York. She will do the trans-Atlantic passenger run until the Civil War, when she will be taken into Union service to hunt Confederate commerce raiders. #History #MaritimeHistory
reporting-history.com
Launch Of The Steamship Vanderbilt
On Monday morning the 10th inst., at an early hour, people began to congregate at Mr. Simonson's ship-yard at Greenpoint, to witness the expected launching of the new steamship Vanderbilt. By nine o'clock, between five and six thousand persons are supposed to have been present, not only occupying the eligible places in the yard, but also filling the adjoining vacant lots.
063
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Once was the time that my daily bicycle commute was not much unlike this very thing. #19thc #19thcentury #victorian #cycling #bicycle #steampunk
Page 6 from the November 12, 1898 issue of the Illustrated Police News. The drawing is of a man with a handlebar mustache and a satchel riding his bike swiftly away from a pursuing lion. The caption reads "An African cyclist's mad ride for life. Chased by a lion he escaped by a miracle."
051
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Robur's "Albatross" is the best. Video at www.facebook.com/share/r/1Gv2... #airship #aeronef #drone #steampunk #julesverne
A screenshot of a Fecebook post by one Jan Zych showing the airship "Albatross" from Jules Verne's 1886 novel "Robur the Conqueror". Not a lighter-than-air craft you would think of when I say airship, it has a long, thin hull like a traditional naval ship but is held aloft, not with gas bags but by a score of propellers on long shafts. As a modern model recreation, it is actually held aloft by four outrigger propellers, like a contemporary drone. 

Bluesky doesn't show the video directly, as it is a link to a Facebook post but the original video of the "Albatros" in flight is available at https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Gv2BWGifc/
000
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
I endorse this product and/or service. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/02/o... #acw #americancivilwar #slaveholdersrebellion #steampunk
nytimes.com
Opinion | It Wasn’t a Civil War. It Was the Slaveholders’ Rebellion.
To face our history, we must be honest about it.
010
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Steampunk Explorer @steampunk-explorer.com · 07/08/2026
This week in #steampunk: Key City preview; Remembering Michael Parodi; Literary chocolates; Scenes from Whitby Steampunk Weekend; Another Bandcamp Friday; New owner for Steampunk Inc.; Puppetry center revives “Tesla vs. Edison”; New Kickstarters. steampunk-explorer.com/digest/steam...
Steampunk Digest - The week’s top stories from The Steampunk Explorer. With photos from Whitby Steampunk Weekend by Piper-Grayson Photography.
074
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
I have been away from Kerbal Space Program for a while but have returned. This time, with more airships. Follow my blog at the-sky-calls.dreamwidth.org #airship #steampunk #ksp #kerbalspaceprogram
The image is of a rigid airship, much like the historical Graf Zeppelin, built in the game Kerbal Space Program.
010
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
The image is of a Twitter(?) post with the poster paraphrasing John Adams, "I must study war so my sons can study business so their sons can study art so their sons can write gay vampire fiction."

Below this quote is another post with an image of Ulysses Grant Dietz, great grandson of Civil War general and president Ulysses S. Grant. Yes, Dietz is an author of gay vampire fiction. 

https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2012/10/a-u-s-presidents-great-great-grandsons-big-gay-vampire-novel/

#steampunk #19thc #acw #lgbtq
232053491
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Everyone is messed up. Always have been. But the Victorians had a special kind of being messed up all their own. #19thc #victorian #steampunk
020
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
There is an ongoing kerfuffle between @thelifeofsharks.com and @bruceshark.bsky.social over sharing of art. I said nothing. Posted nothing. Clicked no likes. Haven't shared content from either of them. Merely follow them both. I think Life of Sharks just blocked everyone who followed Bruce.
170
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Big River Steampunk, a con in Hannibal, Missouri, has thrown their artists and attendees under the AI bus. . . for "efficiency." #noai #steampunk #convention
The image is a screencapture of a Facebook post from Big River Steampunk Festival

"Did we us AI to generate some of our posts? Yes, we did.
Why would a community of artistic people use AI? Because we wanted to generate informational content efficiently.
We are not trying to hide the fact that it is indeed AI.
None of the images of the entertainers have been stolen, they are all images sent to us for use in advertising.
At the festival, the acts will be 100% very talented humans providing the entertainment.  
If you choose to miss the festival because of your feelings related to AI, you will be missing some of the best entertainers in the area! "

AI is fed with theft and has the devaluation of humans as its business model. I won't go into a point by point analysis of all their fallacies and equivocations but the takeaway is that they don't really care about their artists and, because of that, I will definitely not be going to their convention.
110
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Fake History Hunter @fakehistoryhunter.net · 28/07/2026
Just checking, are you hating AI enough? "AI Companies Are Buying Antique Books, Ingesting Their Contents to Train Models, and Then Destroying Them at Incredible Scale" futurism.com/artificial-i... #SarahConnorLeadTheWay
futurism.com
AI Companies Are Buying Antique Books, Ingesting Their Contents to Train Models, and Then Destroying Them at Incredible Scale, Even If Almost No Copies Remain
AI companies are quietly obtaining rare books, ingesting their contents, and then destroying them -- even if they're exceedingly rare.
14329168
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
erinkpgh.bsky.social @erinkpgh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Pittsburgh's Commercial Street Bridge (1-376) replacement start to finish time lapse: www.youtube.com/watch?v=atwJ...
youtube.com
Pittsburgh's Commercial Street Bridge (Timelapse) - Demolition and Move
YouTube video by Ethan900
064
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Final illustration for A Journey in Other Worlds: A Romance of the Future (1894) by the wealthy businessman John Jacob Astor IV, in which he offers an imagining of life in the year 2000. In 1912, Astor would die in the sinking of the Titanic. More here: publicdomainreview.org/collection/a...
15913
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
If you see this, quote skeet a pic of yourself in sunglasses.
A tintype of the author in sunglasses.
000
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Tasting History with Max Miller @tastinghistory.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Salisbury Steak Was a Treatment for Dysentery
2036156
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Sons of Liberty @sonsofliberty.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
#OnThisDay in 1864 the Battle of Atlanta took place just southeast of the city, although September 2nd officially marks the city's fall to Union forces. Killed in action was Gen. James MacPherson. READ: open.substack.com/pub/sonsofliberty…
open.substack.com
#OnThisDay in 1864: The Battle of Atlanta
On this day in history--22 July 1864--the Battle of Atlanta took place just southeast of the city, although September 2nd officially marks the fall of the city to Union forces.
0107
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Dr Space Junk (Alice Gorman) @drspacejunk.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Have you ever wondered how HG Wells would describe the first human expedition to the Moon? Well, wonder no further. Here is the 1964 film of his 1901 novel The First Men in the Moon - also featuring the first woman in the Moon! #InternationalMoonDay2026 🧪 🔭
youtube.com
🎥 FIRST MEN IN THE MOON (1964) | Trailer | Full HD | 1080p
YouTube video by MOVIE PREDICTOR
1165
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
The Public Domain Review @publicdomainrev.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Iwan Rhys Morus follows the interplanetary safari that is John Jacob Astor’s A Journey in Other Worlds (1894), a high-voltage scientific romance in which visions of imperialism haunt a supposedly “perfect” future: publicdomainreview.org/essay/coloni…
25218
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Jess Nevins @jessnevins.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Sadly not surprised that that site doesn't provide a link to my site. Anyhow: if you're interested in Six-Gun Gorilla--and who among us is not?--I have the entire saga online here: jessnevins.com/sixgungorill...
4177
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
Angus Abranson @angusabranson.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
FRONTIER SCUM is a rules-lite Acid Western roleplaying game. An auto-destructive, violent and LSD-infused take on Spaghetti Westerns, about wanted outlaws making their mark on an unreal Lost Frontier. Probably getting shot before having the chance to shoot. angusabranson.com/2026/07/14/r...
angusabranson.com
(RPG PDF Spotlight) Frontier Scum
Frontier Scum Core Rulebook by Games Omnivorous Every Night & every MornSome to Misery are BornEvery Morn & every NightSome are Born to sweet delightSome are Born to sweet delightSome are B…
032
Reposted by Zebulon Vitruvius Pike
American Century of BOO-miliation @johnperich.com · 14/07/2026
"Here we go, a steampunk anti-colonial enemies-to-lovers hurt/comfort fic where two nondescript cartoons chastely hold hands in space. No effort, no originality, no voice or perspective needed here. [...] If we’re already writing like machines, we may as well let the machines do the writing for us."
1122
Zebulon Vitruvius Pike @vitruviuspike.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
"If only we had spent less money on wagons." --- George Donner, probably #wildwest #19thcentury #steampunk
A wagon company advertisement from the early 19th Century.
"Nissen Wagon Manufacturing Co., Wagons, Carts, Wheelbarrows, &c. Post Office, Salem, N.C. Works at Waughtowm, Established by P. Nissen, 1834."

And then, the tag line: "The best is always the cheapest in the end."

#wildwest #19thcentury #steampunk
132