Eli Whitney's cotton gin, patented in 1794, worked by using a combination of elements to efficiently separate cotton fibers from their seeds.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Wire Screen and Hooks: The gin utilized a wire screen and small, rotating wire hooks. These hooks would catch and pull the cotton fibers through the screen.
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Separation: The spaces in the screen were too small for the cotton seeds to pass through. Therefore, as the hooks pulled the cotton fibers through, the seeds remained on one side of the screen, effectively separating them.
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Brush Removal: A set of rotating brushes continuously swept across the screen. These brushes removed the loose cotton lint that had been pulled through by the hooks, preventing the machine from becoming clogged or jammed.
In essence, the cotton gin automated the laborious task of separating cotton fibers from their seeds, significantly increasing cotton production and making it a more profitable crop.
