Luddite

Luddite
   , LUDDITE RIOTS
   Technical improvements may develop at the expense of dislocated lives. That sociological problem confronted Ned Ludd of Leicestershire, England, a half-witted laborer who proceeded to take the matter in hand by smashing two knitting machines. Although not much is known about him, his name has survived to describe those who destroy labor-saving devices or machinery acquired by their employers. In the years 1811 to 1816, machine-breaking riots occurred in the manufacturing districts of Nottinghamshire, Cheshire, and Yorkshire. The textile workers blamed the new machinery for their unemployment and distress. They were branded as Luddites, after their legendary leader.
   Lord Byron's The Song of the Luddites, published in 1830 but written fourteen years earlier, challenged repressive legislation in the House of Lords. The Luddite movement is the background of Charlotte Bronte's Shirley (1849).
   Today Luddites are still those who fear the development of machinery that would eliminate the need for their employment. Some may take a strong stand against plants where war implements are being manufactured that would cause human destructions. It is also a term used to describe those who fear or are confused by technology.

Dictionary of eponyms. . 2013.

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  • luddite — ● luddite nom masculin (anglais luddite, de Ludd, nom propre) Membre d une des bandes d ouvriers du textile anglais, menés par Ned Ludd, qui, de 1811 à 1813 et en 1816, s organisèrent pour détruire les machines, accusées de provoquer le chômage.… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Luddite — Lud‧dite [ˈlʌdaɪt] noun [countable] disapproving someone who is strongly opposed to using modern machinery and methods: • Luddites who insist on using traditional telephones * * * Luddite UK US /ˈlʌdaɪt/ noun [C] ► someone who is against the… …   Financial and business terms

  • Luddite — (n.) also luddite, 1811, from name taken by an organized band of weavers who destroyed machinery in Midlands and northern England 1811 16 for fear it would deprive them of work. Supposedly from Ned Ludd, a Leicestershire worker who in 1779 had… …   Etymology dictionary

  • Luddite — Lud dite, n. One of a number of riotous persons in England, who for six years (1811 17) tried to prevent the use of labor saving machinery by breaking it, burning factories, etc.; so called from Ned Lud, a half witted man who some years… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Luddite — ► NOUN 1) a member of any of the bands of English workers who opposed mechanization and destroyed machinery in the early 19th century. 2) a person opposed to industrialization or new technology. DERIVATIVES Luddism noun Ludditism noun. ORIGIN… …   English terms dictionary

  • Luddite — [lud′īt΄] n. [said to be after a Ned Lud, feebleminded man who smashed two frames belonging to a Leicestershire employer ( c. 1779)] 1. any of a group of workers in England (1811 16) who smashed new labor saving textile machinery in protest… …   English World dictionary

  • Luddite — The Leader of the Luddites, engraving of 1812 The Luddites were a social movement of 19th century English textile artisans who protested – often by destroying mechanised looms – against the changes produced by the Industrial Revolution …   Wikipedia

  • Luddite (EP) — Infobox Album Name = Luddite Type = EP Artist = Grotus Released = 1992 Recorded = August 1992 at Dancing Dog Studio s, Emeryville, CA Genre = Experimental Industrial rock Length = Original: 15:34 Re issue: 21:38 Label = Spirit Music Industries… …   Wikipedia

  • Luddite — /ˈlʌdaɪt/ (say luduyt) noun 1. a member of any of various bands of workers in England (1811–16) organised to destroy manufacturing machinery, believing that its use diminished employment. 2. Also, neo Luddite. a person who opposes the… …  

  • Luddite — Luddisme Représentation figurée du chef des luddites (Mai 1812). Le luddisme est, selon l expression de l historien Edward P. Thompson, un « conflit industriel violent »[1] qui a opposé dans les années 1811 1812 des artis …   Wikipédia en Français

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