Which technological advancement significantly impacted the textile industry?

The cotton gin was a transformative technological advancement in the textile industry due to its revolutionary impact on cotton processing. Invented by Eli Whitney in 1793, this machine greatly increased the speed at which cotton fibers could be separated from seeds. Before the cotton gin, this process was labor-intensive and time-consuming, limiting the production of cotton and making it less available for textile manufacturing.

With the cotton gin, it became feasible to process large quantities of cotton quickly and efficiently. This increase in availability led to a boom in cotton production, which directly supported the growth of the textile industry, particularly in England, where the demand for cotton goods surged during the Industrial Revolution. As a result, the cotton gin not only changed the scale of cotton production but also influenced the entire economy, stimulating the growth of the factory system and contributing to the rise of industrial capitalism.