Movement Steampunk

Movement Steampunk

How could I incorporate "Steampunk" into my PhD?

I want to do my PhD around the steampunk movement. Nothing can hold my attention and interest better, it's my passion, it defines who I am. But I cannot get my head around the bit that clamours for "an addition to knowledge" with regards to Steampunk at the moment. I'm an industrial- and car designer, and I'll be doing the PhD at a university with a generic design department. Do you have any ideas for me on how to use steampunk as a platform to write the PhD on?

Some amateur machinists (me included) are trying to incorporate steampunk aesthetics into the models and gadgets they make on their lathes and milling machines.

Steampunk and amateur machining are both retro movements — a reaction against modernity if you will. There must be some resonance there worth pursuing for a PhD dissertation.