Show WHITNEYS WHITNEY'S INVENTION One hundred and thirty five years rears ago today on larch 14 1794 Eli Whitney secured a patent on the cotton gin and laid laid- the foundation for the Civil ear ar N 10 single factor in our history has had a greater effect upon the political and economic life of the nation than the invention of this mechanical means to separate the seed from cotton fiber Before its Invention froni eight to ten hours work were required to clean one pound ot of cotton Since one field hand could produce about 2500 pounds in in ina a a good season it took 2 slaves working days to get his oUtput ready for market Hence no cotton was exported before the introduction o of Whitneys Whitney's gin The Theoe year after oe rater however pounds were exported and the year following following follow follow- ing about pounds The so south th SOon found cotton growing to be its most important Industry Slaves became Increasingly in d demand mand to grow It and thus began differences between the north and south which resulted in inthe inthe the Civil war |