Eli Whitney Profession: Inventor of the Cotton Gin Nationality: American Why Famous: Best known for inventing the cotton gin, which was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the Antebellum South. His invention strengthened the economic foundation of slavery in the United States. Born: December 8, 1765 Birthplace: Westborough, Massachusetts, USA Star Sign: Sagittarius Died: January 8, 1825 (aged 59) Cause of Death: Prostate cancer Historical Events 1793-10-28 Eli Whitney applies for a patent on cotton gin 1794-03-14 Eli Whitney patents the cotton gin machine revolutionizing the cotton industry in the southern US states 1799-01-14 Eli Whitney receives government contract for 10,000 muskets Famous Inventors Alessandro Volta Charles Babbage Dmitri Mendeleev Elisha Otis Johannes Gutenberg Michael Faraday
Alessandro Volta
Charles Babbage
Dmitri Mendeleev
Elisha Otis
Johannes Gutenberg
Michael Faraday