Eli Whitney died of prostate cancer in New Haven, Connecticut, at the age of 59. This marked the end of the life of an influential inventor whose cotton gin revolutionized the cotton industry and inadvertently strengthened slavery, while his advocacy for interchangeable parts contributed to the advancement of manufacturing.

Eli Whitney secured a contract with the U.S. government to manufacture 10,000 to 15,000 muskets. This event signifies Whitney's shift from cotton gin manufacturing to arms production, driven by financial needs and the government's push for military preparedness.

Eli Whitney received a patent (later numbered as X72) for his cotton gin. This patent gave him the legal right to protect his invention, although he faced numerous infringement challenges.

Eli Whitney applied for a patent for his cotton gin. The application marks a crucial step in protecting his invention, which revolutionized cotton production but also faced legal challenges and widespread infringement.

Eli Whitney Jr. was born in Westborough, Massachusetts. This marks the beginning of the life of an inventor who would significantly impact the American economy and society through his inventions, most notably the cotton gin.