Eli Whitney was born in Westborough, Massachusetts, to Eli Whitney Sr., a prosperous farmer, and Elizabeth Fay Whitney. He was the eldest of four children.

Even as a child, Whitney displayed a remarkable aptitude for mechanics. He took apart and reassembled his father's tools, demonstrating a natural understanding of how things worked.

During the American Revolutionary War, when British goods were scarce, young Whitney used his workshop to manufacture nails, successfully tapping into the demand created by the conflict.

Whitney was accepted into Yale College in New Haven, Connecticut, demonstrating his intellectual capabilities and his desire for formal education. This was a significant step up from his family's farming background.

Whitney graduated from Yale College, facing financial challenges and uncertainty about his future career path. He considered practicing law but ultimately sought alternative opportunities.