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The Cotton Gin: A Case Study on Technological Improvement's Unintended Consequences

Explore the impact of Eli Whitney's cotton gin on the cotton industry, from increased demand to slave labor pressures. Discover how technological advancements can lead to unexpected outcomes, such as fluctuating cotton prices and economic shifts. Learn about Whitney's innovative use of interchangeable parts and the challenges faced in meeting Thomas Jefferson's rifle production demands.

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The Cotton Gin: A Case Study on Technological Improvement's Unintended Consequences

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Are technological improvements always good?

  2. One BAD Example…

  3. Cotton Gin • Eli Whitney - 1793 • Increased demand for cotton • Textile mills in Europe and in the North • MUCH faster than by hand

  4. Is Cotton the “fabric of our lives?” But what if it cost 100x more?

  5. Cotton Craziness! • By 1850, cotton prices dropped to 1% of what they cost in 1784 • Why? • 1860 • Cotton = $191 million export • 2/3 of U.S. exports

  6. Major Increase

  7. Raw Cotton

  8. http://cottonclassroom.com/videoofcottonbeingcleaned.html

  9. Under Pressure • On their first day, slaves were often tested • Pick and clean cotton while being watched

  10. Eli Whitney’s Next Big Thing • 1798 - accepted offer from Thomas Jefferson to make rifles for army • Wanted 10,000-15,000 rifles in two years • But how???

  11. Instructions • Each paper must have: • BLUE square • BLACK triangle • RED circle • PURPLE stick figure • Folded in half • Stacked in a neat pile

  12. Interchangeable Parts • Whitney used interchangeable parts to create the guns faster • Each person has specific task • Together they are assembled into a gun • Previously everything was done individually, but now it was assembly lines

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