Eli Whitney (1765-1825) 。 Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin.This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the American South.(right:first cotton gin)Eli Whitney (1765-1825) • Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the American South. (right: first cotton gin)