Eli Whitney was an American inventor born in 1765. He is best known for inventing the cotton gin in 1793, revolutionizing cotton production and the economy in the southern United States. Whitney also developed the concept of interchangeable parts, enhancing manufacturing processes and contributing to the Industrial Revolution. His contributions to technology and industry have had a lasting impact on society and solidified his place in history as a pioneering inventor. Whitney passed away in 1825, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and progress.