Whitney's early nail-making business demonstrated his aptitude for mechanics and innovation even before the cotton gin.

Whitney designed and implemented machinery at his armory to improve efficiency and production speed. Though the exact machines are not always well documented, his focus on mechanization was a clear innovation.

While the cotton gin and interchangeable parts concept are his most famous contributions, Whitney's overall approach to manufacturing influenced other inventors and industrialists, contributing to the development of new technologies and processes in other industries.