Inventors and Inventions
Eli Whitney
1765-1825
Eli Whitney was born in Westboro, Massachusetts. Young Eli showed an interest in mechanics and engineering. He entered Yale during his twenties, received his degree and enjoyed some success from the development of a nail-making machine. 
During a visit to the Georgia home of Mrs. Nathanael Greene, widow of the Revolutionary War hero, Whitney became acquainted with the dilemma faced by Southern cotton producers. Their crop commanded high prices, but the cost of processing it also was high. Extensive hand labor was required to separate the seed from the fiber; often as many slaves were needed for this task as tending the crop. Cotton production was not, therefore, economically viable in the South. Whitney devised a cotton gin (short for engine), which mechanically separated seed from fiber. This improvement altered the Southern economy by making it profitable to raise and process cotton. Whitney formed a partnership with Phineas Miller, Mrs. Greene’s foreman (and later her husband). A patent was awarded for the machine in 1794, but the concept was simple and easily imitated. Whitney was forced to spend the next 10 years in the courts, attempting to enforce his rights. In addition, financial rewards for the gin were meager. Disappointed and bitter, Whitney returned to New England in 1798. During that year, Whitney won a contract from the federal government for the production of 10,000 military muskets. The key to his winning bid was the development of a reliable process for manufacturing interchangeable firing mechanism parts. The standardization of interchangeable parts was a major contribution to the development of American industry.
Off-site search results for "Eli Whitney"... Eli Whitney Memoirs
On Mr. Whitney's tomb is the following inscription: ELI WHITNEY, The inventor of the Cotton Gin. Of useful Science and Arts, the efficient Patron and Improve''. In the social relations of life, a Model of excellence. While private affectioELI WHITNEY, The inventor of the Cotton Gin. Of useful Science and Arts, the efficient Patron and Improve''. In the social relations of life, a Model of excellence. While private affection weeps ...
http://www.eliwhitney.org/memoir/
The Cotton Gin - Eli Whitney
... Portrait of Eli WhitneyModel of Eli Whitney's Cotton GinElsewhere on the WebThe Eli Whitney Museum Most PopularOptical DiskFamous Inventions - A - History of InventionsGregorio ZaraThe History of Computers - Computer History TiEli Whitney's Cotton GinElsewhere on the WebThe Eli Whitney Museum Most PopularOptical DiskFamous Inventions - A - History of InventionsGregorio ZaraThe History of Computers - Computer History TimeEli Whitney Museum Most PopularOptical DiskFamous Inventions - A - History of InventionsGregorio ZaraThe History of Computers - Computer History TimelineThe ...
http://inventors.about.com/od/cstartinventions/a/cotton_gin.htm
Learn about inventor Eli Whitney.
18th Century History Articles and Products of History Eli Whitney Eli Whitney grew up the son of a farmer in rural Massachusetts. Born in 1765, he graduated from Yale College at the age of 27. Although Whitney’s family did not grow cotEli Whitney Eli Whitney grew up the son of a farmer in rural Massachusetts. Born in 1765, he graduated from Yale College at the age of 27. Although Whitney’s family did not grow cotEli Whitney grew up the son of a farmer in rural Massachusetts. Born in 1765, he graduated from Yale College at the age of 27. Although Whitney’s family did not grow cotton, he ...
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