Whitney encountered significant technical hurdles in his initial attempts to create truly interchangeable parts. Achieving the precision required for mass production proved to be more difficult than anticipated.

Whitney staged demonstrations for government officials, showcasing the potential of interchangeable parts. However, the extent to which the parts were truly interchangeable at this stage remains a subject of historical debate.

Over time, Whitney gradually implemented the concept of interchangeable parts in his manufacturing process. While not perfectly interchangeable in the modern sense, his efforts laid the groundwork for future advancements in mass production techniques.

Although the extent of Whitney's direct contribution is debated, his association with the concept of interchangeable parts helped to popularize the idea and paved the way for its widespread adoption in other industries. This had a profound impact on American manufacturing.