Eli Whitney's idea for interchangeable parts led to the second wave of industrialization across the United States. Find out more about his life (and his cotton gin) in this video. Explore the life of Eli Whitney: http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/cotton-gin-and-eli-whitney Get the story behind interchangeable parts: http://www.history.com/topics/inventions/interchangeable-parts Check out a slideshow of Industrial Age inventions: http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution/pictures/industrial-inventions Stay up to date on history in the headlines: http://www.history.com/news Check out exclusive HISTORY content: Website - http://www.history.com?cmpid=Social_YouTube_HistHome Google + - https://plus.google.com/+HISTORY Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/History Google+ - https://plus.google.com/+HISTORY HISTORY Topical Video Season 1 Episode 1 Whether you're looking for more on American Revolution battles, WWII generals, architectural wonders, secrets of the ancient