The Purpose of the historical research project is to connect past instances of “fandoms” to modern offshoots, or similar modern fan cultures.

Using the Straight edge movement from the early 1980’s to the mid 1990’s, I am trying to figure out how the straight edge movement has influenced and inspired such a huge variety of people. The Straight edge movement (originally associated with the punk rock scene) has since inspired a plethora of political groups and activists, including animal rights activists and vegetarians to terrorists like Timothy Mcveigh.

How did the movement appeal to so many people?

When did it die off?

What movements now have direct links to the straight edge movement?