Mathematicians Are Like Luddites

The article discusses the history of weaving and its connection to technology, comparing mathematicians to the Luddite weavers who resisted the introduction of automated looms. Weaving is an ancient craft that has been around for 20,000 years, and master weavers in the Tudor era were highly skilled and fast, working at speeds that are difficult to match today. The Jacquard loom, which used punched cards to create patterns, was a significant innovation that inspired Charles Babbage to develop the first mechanical computer. The Luddite weavers, who were skilled craftsmen, resisted the introduction of automated looms, seeing it as a threat to their livelihood and way of life. The response to their resistance was brutal, with troops and factory owners violently suppressing their actions. The industry eventually changed, with the cost of cloth becoming so low that mass-produced clothing became possible.