A saw gin is a type of machine used primarily in the cotton industry to separate cotton fibers from seeds. It operates using a series of rotating saw blades that grab the cotton and pull it through a grid, allowing the seeds to fall away. This process significantly speeds up cotton processing compared to manual methods. Invented in the late 18th century, the saw gin revolutionized cotton production, making it more efficient and profitable. The invention is often attributed to Eli Whitney, an American inventor whose design helped boost the cotton industry in the southern United States.