Ned Ludd is a legendary figure associated with the early 19th-century Luddite movement in England. He is often depicted as a mythical character who opposed the rise of industrialization and the use of machinery that threatened traditional jobs. The name "Ned Ludd" became a symbol for workers who protested against the negative impacts of technology on their livelihoods. The Luddite movement began around 1811, when skilled artisans, particularly in the textile industry, began to destroy machines that they believed were taking away their jobs. The movement highlighted the tensions between workers and industrialization, raising important questions about the balance between technological progress and the welfare of workers in society.