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In 1790, a patent was filed in the US by William Pollard for a cotton spinning machine, an invention that would rapidly increase the rate at which cotton thread could be spun. -
Eli Whitney, an American inventor, created the cotton gin in 1793. He patented his invention in 1794. The cotton gin transformed the American cotton industry and paved the way for the industrial revolution that would result in the creation of large industrial looms. These looms are one of the earliest inventions that can be directly traced to the invention of the modern-day computer. -
In 1793 a man named Claude Chappe invented a system of optical telegraphs in France. By using this system, messages could be quickly communicated across long distances. By using a series of shutters and panels, messages could be communicated. This invention highlights the need for long distance communication, a key service that modern day computers provide. -
In 1795 Thomas Jefferson came up with the idea of a cipher that used rotating wheels to encrypt sensitive messages. Spurred by the insecurity of using hand delivered messages, Jefferson knew that the United States would have need of a more secure method of communication. This proved to be true in World War I and II, when breaking encrypted messages proved to be one of the most important endeavors of the war. This invention led directly to Turing's invention of the Enigma Machine. -
In 1799 a man named Alessandro Volta invented the first known electrical battery. This was significant as it was the first reproduceable source of electrical currents and became an important foundation for modern electrical equipment.