This Day in History: 1811-12-14

Luddites first reported First reports of Luddite loom-breaking appear in the London Times this day in 1811. The Luddites were unemployed weavers being thrown out of work by steam powered looms. Because they were starving, they began breaking the looms. But reports focused on destruction and violence, not the conditions that created the problems in the first place. The Times said: “The rioters at Nottingham are said to act under a sort of regular commanders, the chief of whom is always styled General Ludd; and his orders are strictly obeyed; and any person that gives information against any of them subjects himself to the vengeance of the whole…”