Is it Ok to be anachronistic? Luddite essay

[Saioued Al-Zaioued]

I was wondering if anyone noticed this passage:


          But the Oxford English Dictionary has an interesting tale to tell. 
In 1779, in a village somewhere in Leicestershire, one Ned Lud broke into a 
house and ''in a fit of insane rage'' destroyed two machines used for 
knitting hosiery. Word got around. Soon, whenever a stocking-frame was found 
sabotaged - this had been going on, sez the Encyclopedia Britannica, since 
about 1710 - folks would respond with the catch phrase ''Lud must have been 
here.''

1779 is many a year after 1710, so was this a typo? is it meant to be 1679? 
Any light on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

                             Saud.
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