Re: Science and Unemployment...

Clive D.W. Feather (clive@stdc.demon.co.uk)
Sun, 2 Jul 1995 17:15:41 GMT

In article <ts_zemanian-3006951302550001@ts_zemanian.pnl.gov>,
Thomas S. Zemanian <ts_zemanian@pnl.gov> wrote:
>In article <DAp9yH.Kp6@stdc.demon.co.uk>, clive@stdc.demon.co.uk (Clive
>D.W. Feather) wrote:
>> As someone whose family originated in Luddendon Foot, I should point out
>> that the early Luddites were not anti-technology for its own sake, but
>> because they were losing their jobs - that is, it was an early form of
>> Trade Union militancy.
> You seem to be implying that the Luddites got their name from your
> ancestral home. One of my dictionaries (Webster's New World Dictionary of
> the American Language; College Edition (1968)) gives the etymology as
> "said to be after Ned Lud, feebleminded man who smashed two frames
> belonging to a Leicester employer (c. 1779)"
> What's the scoop? Is there a link between the place name and the man's name?

Yes, Ned Lud - if he even existed and isn't just folklore - probably
came from Luddendon. Even if the story is true, that doesn't mean that
the Luddites in general were anti-technology for its own sake.

-- 

Clive D.W. Feather                       | If you lie to the compiler,

clive@demon.net        (work, preferred) | it will get its revenge.

clive@stdc.demon.co.uk (home)            |   - Henry Spencer