The Story of Eli Whitney Author:Jean Lee Latham, Fritz Kredel (Illustrator) Eli Whitney transformed America's South by his invention of the cotton gin; he transformed America's North by his use of machines to create interchangeable parts. Both developments played significant roles in the onset of America's Civil War. — Newberry Award-winning author Jean Lee Latham tells the story of Whitney's inventions a... more »nd the cost he paid to gain the recognition he deserved.« less