Other paths we did not take

When using time travel we often encounter an alternate time line. A speculative subgenre of fantasy fiction wonders what would happen if instead of electricity we had stayed with steam power. Steam powered computers such as the analytical engine developed by Charles Babbage could be doing out calculations. Of course our cars would be power by steam engines, rolling down streets lit by gas lamps.

This is a world where everything has a Victorian era feel, with women wearing long flowery dresses down the cobble stone lanes, while aristocratic gentlemen have a hat and bowtie. However, do these world's exist?

Often spoken of as steam punk, these are worlds where people though electricity was too dangerous so they discourage its use. Tragically, as a consequence they develop slowly.