Luddite were rebellious craft workers in early nineteenth-century England (primarily between 1811 and 1816) who engaged in protests, often involving the destruction of new factory machinery, as part of their resistance to the industrial revolution and the technological changes that threatened their livelihoods and traditional ways of working. These skilled artisans, such as weavers and textile workers, feared that the introduction of new machines like power looms would lead to job losses, lower wages, and a decline in the quality of their craft. The Luddite movement, though ultimately unsuccessful in halting industrialisation, represents an early example of social resistance to technological change and highlights the social and economic disruptions that can accompany major technological shifts. The term "Luddite" is sometimes used today to refer to individuals who are resistant to new technologies or industrial progress.