The members of the Academy of Unnatural Sciences, based in Berkeley, California, welcome you to the Neverwas Project, an on-going Do It Yourself (DIY) group of tinkerers, gearheads, and steam bohemians who fabricate steam-powered art pieces out of repurposed industrial detritus. We are loosely based on the works of Jules Verne, H.G.Wells, and other Victorian-era writers who created an imaginary world where steam technology was considered cutting edge and brave explorers could be propelled by gun powder to the moon!

We designed and built the Neverwas Haul as a vehicle to explore the Black Rock Desert for the Burning Man Festivals in 2006 and 2007. We have also been featured at Maker’s Faire, Carson City Admissions Day Parade, and the Handcar Regatta. We welcome all like-minded individuals who wish to participate with us in this on-going endeavor. Our team usually meets at the Shipyard Labs (1010 Murray Street, Berkeley, California) on Sundays at 12pm. Please contact Shannon O’Hare at 510-292-5879 if you would like to help in any way. You can also leave messages for him at shannon_o_hare@yahoo.com.

FIRE EFFECTS FOR NEVERWAS HAUL

We plan to have approximately 10-15 kerosene lamps illuminating the Haul or in the Steam Camp. The stage will be lit with 8-10 mantle lamps (propane fuel). Our steam engines are either run on propane or bio-peat fuel in appropriately contained fire boxes. Appropriately rated fire extinguishers will be placed next to all fire-related effects.

No artwork will be engulfed in flames and no fire will come in contact with the Playa.

NEVERWAS IMAGES

photo:dharmabum90

A few stalwart photographers have captured images of the Haul and have placed them upon fLICKR for the enjoyment of the many.

STEAMPUNK CONVENTIONEERS!

Come join the Neverwas Haul crew at their studio at 1010 Murray Street in Berkeley (map HERE) on Saturday, March 13 from 6pm-9pm for a get together to tour the Haul, meet the crew, view live steam engine demonstrations, and enjoy drinks and libations, including a special drink served by the Corpse Reviver, a BarBot featured at the recent BarBot Games held in San Francisco and specially steamed hot dogs, cooked to perfection by our own hand-built boiler!

The event is free, but drinks and food will be sold at a mere $5 each and tickets can be purchased at the door!

Submitted by: Shannon O'Hare, 21 Spring Road, Orinda , CA 94563 510-292-5879

Shannon_O_Hare@yahoo.com

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

Neverwas Haul, a self-propelled 3-story Victorian House, made from 75% recycled equipment and materials, returns with new interiors, operating system, and collections from its travels around the world (i.e., oddities of the Jules Verne era including a Camera Obscura, described below). The Haul measures 24 feet long by 24 feet high and 12 feet wide and is built on the base of a 5 th wheel travel trailer.

In addition to the Haul, we will be creating the following “green” systems to be used in our Steam Camp under the title of Grand Steam Expedition:

HAUL TO LET:

How You Can Rent the Neverwas Haul
for your next event!

The Neverwas Haul is semi-permanently housed at the Shipyard Labs and can be rented in that venue for weddings, dinners, and other events.  For the right price, the Haul can be transported to your location.  Please contact us at shannon_o_hare@yahoo.com for further information.

STEAMPUNK PRODUCTS :

You, too, can be outfitted in the latest steampunk accessories!  Please check out our line of goggles and helmets at neverwas.etsy.com

CAMERA OBSCURA:

A cooperative effort of a number of artists, photographers and lens makers, the Camera Obscura is installed in the turret of the Haul. With the support of a trained technician, the public sees many a spectacular view. A camera obscura is a series of lenses creating an image that is projected onto a concave screen table (sketch included below). The size of the unit is approximately 12 feet tall by 3 feet wide and is made from hand-made glass lenses, recycled brass fittings and antique ironwork.

SKETCHES AND DRAWINGS:

Camera Obscura, Steam Generator, Bio-Peat Generator, Grand Steam Expedition Stage

CAMERA OBSCURA

STEAM GENERATOR

BIO-PEAT GENERATOR

GRAND STEAM EXPEDITION STAGE

 
The adventures continue unabated into 2010 despite all our attempts to the contrary!  The season is upon us and the first event we’ll be involved with is the Nova-Albion Steampunk Convention.  We will be demonstrating our steam technology, selling the latest merchandise in our on-going efforts to raise funds, and hosting a meet and greet at the Haul on Saturday, March 13 from 6pm-9pm (see middle column for details) including a fancy drink delivered by a robot.
 
We will be at the Maker Faire again this year and look forward to adding to our Victorian devises, including a new all-terrain Nautilus-style submarine vehicle.
 
Come join us in July for what seems to be our annual Fundraiser on Saturday, July 17th, entitled “Never Say Never Again”.  We will again be having dinner on the Haul, fine entertainment, and libations of the strangest kind (did anyone say Robots?).  Stay tuned for details on this event!
 
Next, we will be participating in the first of what hopes to be an annual event, the Great Pan-Kinetic Exposition on the waterfront in Vallejo CA.  We will be bringing the Haul and serving High Tea throughout the weekend of July 31-August 1. 
 
To round out events for this year, we will be taking the Haul back to Burning Man and perhaps again to the Exploratorium for a Halloween event.  Considering our usual delayed updates on this website, we now have a more current system and have added a group page on Facebook – Neverwas Haul Traveling Academy, so stay tuned! 
 
To anyone reading this in the future, please substitute the word “will” with “have done” and accept our apologies for the lack of updating…or perhaps we are caught in a time-space anomaly and it will always be February 2010 for us!

SUPPORT TEAM

Our main crew numbers 15 and includes machinists, wood workers, welders, and scenic artists. We also have a performing team of approximately 20 participants who will develop and manage the Grand Steam Expedition Stage as well as participate in assembly and dismantling of the Haul and Steam Camp. Many of our crew are veterans of Burning Man and most were involved with Neverwas Haul in 2006, and are well-versed in the needs of the Playa and the protection of the environment.

CREW MEMBERS

Shannon O'Hare
Project Lead, Master Carpenter, Performer

Kimric Smythe,
Head Technician and Fabricator, Solar Design Expert

Liam McNamara,
Technical Advisor, Lead Machinist

Matt Snyder,
Lead Welder and Fabricator

Peter Luca,
Chief Engineer, Motorman

Liz Simpson,
Head Scenic Designer, Lead Photographer

Kathy Tucker,
Project Administrator, Head of the Hibernian Glee Club

Meredith Scheff,
Fabricator, Cartoonist, Performer

Joe Phillips,
Welder, Fabricator, Performer

Phat Mandee,
Cabaret singer, Host of the Grand Stage

Richard Lockie,
Performer

Robin Fox,
Fabricator, Lens Grinder

Kevin O'Hare,
Lead on Camera Obscura

Larry Abrahamsen,
Artist, Performer

Sandra Meder,
Goggle maker, Performer

The rest of our performers at this time are:

Don Bruce, Hallie McConlogue, Tracy Feldstein, Nifer Fahrion, SF Slim, Joshua Marker, Will Bartlett, David Apocalypse, Richard Jukes, John Walmsey, Bill Smythe, and 10 others who have not finalized their plans to fill out our troupe of 20 performers

NEVERWAS HAUL PHOTO FROM BURNING MAN 2006

NEVERWAS HAUL at the CARSON CITY Admissions Day Parade,

October, 2006

Winner – Parade Chairman Award

See it run! Click HERE

Our newest invention, a calliope made with copper water pipe.

See it PLAY

See it work!! Click HERE