I've read the old Jules Verne books and those stories of how a tinker in his medieval era shop constructed a whirlygig automaton that would take him to the moon. In my mind's eye I always believed that it was possible... or at least probable.
Here's one of my favorite takes on the concept that blends a bit of Victoriana and Silicon Wafers... The Steampunk Laptop!
http://www.datamancer.net/steampunklaptop/steampunklaptop.htm