Light

Eli Whitney

Definition

Eli Whitney was an American inventor who is best known for inventing the cotton gin, a machine that revolutionized the cotton industry by making it easier and faster to separate cotton fibers from their seeds.

Analogy

Imagine you are playing a game of Connect Four, but instead of having to drop each piece individually, you have a magical device that drops all the pieces at once with just one swift motion. That's how Eli Whitney's cotton gin made separating cotton fibers from their seeds so much quicker and more efficient!

Related terms

Industrial Revolution: The period of rapid industrialization that occurred in the late 18th century, characterized by advancements in technology, manufacturing processes, and changes in society.

Cotton Production: The process of growing and harvesting cotton plants for the purpose of obtaining raw materials used in textile production.

Interchangeable Parts: Identical components that can be easily replaced or swapped out in a machine or product without requiring custom adjustments or modifications. This concept was popularized by Eli Whitney and contributed to mass production methods.