Cotton gin

machine that separates cotton fibers from seeds

A cotton gin, or a cotton engine is a machine that pulls cotton fibers away from the cotton seeds. The modern cotton gin was invented by the American inventor Eli Whitney.[1]It is significant in American history because after its invention, Southerners began growing much more cotton and so they needed more slaves to work on their cotton plantations. Instead of disappearing, slavery became even more important to the Southern economy.

A cotton gin
Cotton ball with seed

References change

  1. "Eli Whitney and the Need for an Invention". Archived from the original on 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2009-11-07.