LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Luddites: Ned Ludd
built 216 days ago
The original Luddites claimed to be led by one "King Ludd" (... known as "General Ludd" or "Captain Ludd") whose signature appears on a "workers' manifesto" of the time. King Ludd was based on the earlier Ned Ludd, who is believed to have destroyed two large stocking frames in the village of Anstey, Leicestershire in 1779, although Ned Ludd is believed to have been a mere simpleton and his actions had no direct relation to those of the later Luddites.[1]
Source:
The first Luddites appeared in 1811 in Nottingham, England when knitters began to demolish machines that made shoddy stockings at prices which undercut skilled craftsmen. Their name came from Ned Ludd, nicknamed 'King Ludd,' who is said to have smashed two stocking frames. The movement exploded among bands of workers around the country who stormed cotton and wool mills. Though the rebellion had little to no organization, and the British government restored order with a mere waive of its wand, the Luddites were for a time considered a serious threat. And they turned out to be real trend-setters.
Source:
According to Rybczynski (1983), the Luddites, named after King Ludd, or Ned Ludd, organized against technological advances in the textile industry in the Regency area of England from 1811-1816. History shows rejection of not just technology, but rejection of technology which was seen as threatening to their way of life and livelihood. As a precursor to modern day labor unions, one author called it, "collective bargaining by riot" (p. 41). It ended when the English Parliament dispatched 12,000 soldiers and the leaders of the movement were either executed or deported to Australia (p. 41).
Source:
MORE ABOUT
Ned Ludd