Imagine an invention so powerful it helped shape a nation-and even played a part in sparking a war. That's the story of Eli Whitney's cotton gin, a simple machine that changed everything.

Before Whitney's invention, cleaning cotton by hand was slow, exhausting work. The cotton gin made the process faster and easier-but its success had unintended consequences. It fueled the growth of plantations, increased the demand for enslaved labor, and set the stage for one of the most divisive chapters in American history.

This engaging book explores how one invention could both transform industry and deepen injustice. Readers will learn how Eli Whitney's curiosity and problem-solving skills led to his groundbreaking idea, what life was like for kids growing up in the early 1800s, and how innovation can carry both promise and peril.

Perfect for young readers who love learning how history connects to real life, this short book shows how a single spark of creativity can change the world-for better or for worse.