Tech History Made on March 14, 1794

On this day in 1794 the patent for the cotton gin was filed by Eli Whitney. During this time the seeds were removed from cotton in a very labor intensive process. Whitney's cotton gin performed the task quickly and well. A wooden drum covered with hooks pulled the freshly picked cotton over a mesh screen. The cotton went through the mesh but the seeds did not. A simple invention that helped transform the south. Unfortunately for Whitney it did not make him a fortune.