1765 – 1825
Eli Whitney
United StatesManufacturing
Background
An American inventor and manufacturer, also known for the cotton gin.
Contribution
Promoted interchangeable-parts manufacturing for muskets under a U.S. government contract, becoming its most famous American advocate.
Popular credit vs. the record
Traditionally credited as the inventor of interchangeable parts, but historians show the concept predated him (notably Honoré Blanc) and that his own production fell short of true interchangeability; credit is best shared and qualified.
Associated inventions
Collaborators & contemporaries
Associated organizations
Sources & further reading
Each citation names the publisher and the exact reference title.
- NIST — measurement, standards & interchangeable manufactureU.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology · Government / archive
- Smithsonian — National Museum of American HistorySmithsonian Institution · Museum
Direct source link pending editorial verification.