What significant invention did Eli Whitney create in 1795?

Eli Whitney's significant invention in 1795 was the cotton gin, which revolutionized the cotton industry in the United States. The cotton gin is a machine that efficiently separates cotton fibers from their seeds, drastically reducing the time and labor required to process cotton. Before this invention, cotton processing was a labor-intensive task, often performed by hand, which limited the growth of the cotton industry. The introduction of the cotton gin made it much easier and faster to produce cotton, leading to increased cotton production and profitability, significantly influencing the agricultural economy and the expansion of slavery in the southern states as demand for cotton grew.

The other options represent significant inventions or innovations, but they are not attributed to Eli Whitney or occurred either before or after 1795. Interchangeable parts refer to a manufacturing process popularized in the early 19th century, while the steam engine was developed earlier, gaining prominence in industrial applications. The telegraph, introduced later in the 19th century, revolutionized communication. Whitney’s cotton gin stands out as a transformative invention during its time, particularly for the agricultural sector.