Nailonists

Nailonists are a fictional group appearing in the science fiction novel "A Canticle for Leibowitz" by Walter M. Miller Jr. They are a religious order dedicated to preserving the remnants of scientific knowledge from a post-apocalyptic world. Following a period of widespread destruction and societal collapse known as the Flame Deluge, where technology was blamed for the catastrophe, the Nailonists sought to safeguard books and documents containing scientific understanding.

The order is named after a revered figure named Leibowitz, who is believed to have founded the monastery. The Nailonists meticulously copy and illuminate manuscripts, treating them as sacred relics. Their primary mission is to prevent the complete loss of human knowledge and to pass it down through generations, hoping that one day humanity will be ready to reclaim and utilize it responsibly. They operate within a monastic structure, adhering to strict rules and rituals. The novel follows their efforts over many centuries as they grapple with the cyclical nature of history, the resurgence of primitive societies, and the potential for humanity to repeat its past mistakes. The Nailonists represent a beacon of hope and intellectual continuity in a world that has largely renounced its technological past.