Whitney had carefully kept the cotton gin under wraps while he applied for a patent, but he made a tactical error when he allowed women to have a look at it
In "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," author John Berendt explores the life of inventor Eli Whitney, who meticulously safeguarded his cotton gin invention during the patent application process. However, he made a significant misstep by permitting women to inspect the device, inadvertently exposing it to potential competitors. This lapse in judgement could have jeopardized his invention's protection.
The narrative illustrates the delicate balance between innovation and secrecy, highlighting the risks inventors face in sharing their work. Whitney's experience serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining confidentiality, particularly in a competitive landscape where ideas can be easily replicated.
