General Ludd's Rage Against the Machines - Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford - Omny.fm

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1812. A band of "Luddites" is laying siege to a textile mill in the North of England, under cover of night. They plan to destroy the machines that are replacing their jobs. But mill owner William Cartwright is prepared: he's fortified his factory with skilled marksmen, fearsome eighteen-inch metal spikes and barrels of sulphuric acid. Today "Luddite" is a term of mockery — a description for someone who's scared of technology. But in 1812, Luddism was no laughing matter for the likes of Cartwright. And he plans to teach the intruders a lesson. For a full list of sources for this episode, please visit timharford.com. https://omny.fm/shows/cautionary-tales-with-tim-harford/general-ludds-rage-against-the-machines