Symposium Champion - The Human Locomotive

The Human Locomotive (aka Clay Bogert) is the 2012 Fashion Show winner. Bogert was introduced to Steampunk by a good friend of his who asked if he knew what it was. He was then inspired to go to his metal shop and built his half automaton self out of whatever he could find.

Bogert learned to work metal at an early age; he grew up in a metal shop watching his dad work steel for farm equipment. Eventually he made Clay watch closely as he made a bead with the welder and said, “Have fun, I gotta go.” Bogert taught himself the rest of the way; this is why his best costumes are more machine than man.

The Human Locomotive does not plan to enter another fashion show, at least, not without a new metal suit. He has made modifications, but none serious enough to convince him to try again. He’d much prefer to see what everyone else has.

In 2012 Bogert was completely surprised. He hadn’t actually planned on entering any events, and was drafted into the fashion show. Being so unprepared he felt he gave a terrible performance and demonstration of his suit. When he saw the other competitors he thought the only thing he had a chance of winning was one of the smaller creativity awards. After the votes had been counted and secondary awards were handed out, the judges began to announce best in show. Clay looked down the line to see who it would be, and just before they called him up, the judges announced, “but he’s not associated with an airship!” It took Bogert a minute to realize that they were talking about him.

Bogert’s advice to Symposium attendees competing in the Games and contests is “Be sure to read the rules. The first year, I wanted to enter my own airship, but fell short of the required four person crew.”