Eli Whitney is best known for inventing the cotton gin in 1793, a machine that rapidly separated cotton fibers from their seeds. This invention revolutionized cotton processing, making cotton a highly profitable crop in the southern United States and significantly boosting the economy of the Antebellum South. Despite its tremendous impact, Whitney struggled to profit from the cotton gin due to widespread patent infringement. In addition to the cotton gin, Whitney pioneered the concept of interchangeable parts in manufacturing, notably applying this to the mass production of muskets for the U.S. Army. This system allowed parts to be manufactured uniformly so they could be easily assembled and replaced, which was a major advance in industrial manufacturing and laid the foundation for modern mass production techniques. Thus, Eli Whitney's key inventions were:
- The cotton gin (1793), which automated the separation of cotton fibers from seeds.
- The development and promotion of interchangeable parts manufacturing, especially for muskets.
These inventions had a profound impact on American industry and agriculture.
