What agricultural invention is Eli Whitney best known for?

Eli Whitney is best known for the invention of the cotton gin, a significant agricultural device developed in 1793. The cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry by dramatically speeding up the process of separating cotton fibers from seeds, which was previously a labor-intensive and time-consuming task. This invention made cotton production much more efficient, leading to an explosion in the cultivation of cotton, particularly in the southern United States. The increase in cotton production had profound economic and social effects, as it contributed to the growth of the plantation economy and intensified the reliance on slave labor in the South. Whitney's cotton gin is recognized not only for its impact on agriculture but also for its role in shaping American history and the economy during the 19th century.