Ludd

Ludd is a term that can refer to a legendary figure and to a broad social movement, and it also serves as a surname. In common usage, it is most closely associated with the Luddites, a group of English textile workers and artisans active during the early 19th century who opposed industrialization and the introduction of machinery.

Origin and legend: The name is tied to Ned Ludd, a possibly mythic figure described in 1779 as destroying a stocking frame. The stories were used in political pamphlets to symbolize machine-breaking. The historicity is uncertain, and the figure's name was later employed as a rallying symbol.

Movement: The Luddites engaged in machine-breaking and other acts of resistance, mainly in 1811–1812, primarily in Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, the Midlands, and northern England. They argued that mechanization threatened livelihoods. The movement was suppressed by authorities, and its activities were suppressed and punished through legal and political means.

Legacy and modern usage: The term Luddite is now used more broadly to describe opposition to or fear of technology and automation, rather than a single organized movement. It is sometimes used pejoratively in debates over innovation, productivity, or digital change.

Other uses: Ludd is also a surname; individuals bearing the name exist, and the term may appear in fictional or place-naming contexts.