Occupation
Inventor, businessman, and barber
Birth/Death Dates
May 18, 1838 – May 7, 1918
Summary
Alexander Miles is best known for his patented innovation that made the automatic opening and closing of elevator doors possible.
Before Miles’s innovation, elevators were operated manually. Operators physically opened and closed the doors of both the elevator and the shaft with each use. Miles realized the constant hazard this posed while riding on an elevator with the shaft door open with his young daughter, Grace. It is believed by some that he got the idea for his elevator door mechanism after Grace accidentally fell down a shaft, an accident that almost ended her life.
In 1887, Miles obtained a patent for his invention, which included a flexible belt attached to the elevator cage that allowed the doors to function automatically. His elevator design innovation improved the safety and efficiency of elevators and has contributed to saving lives. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007.
Educational Background
Miles had no formal education.
Struggles this Inventor Overcame
Miles was known to be concerned about the discriminatory treatment of African American people and, specifically, about the fact that they were often denied insurance coverage at that time. In 1899, he moved to Chicago and founded The United Brotherhood as a life insurance company that would insure African American people, who were often denied coverage. His goal in creating this insurance company was to eliminate the discriminatory treatment of African Americans.
Problems this Inventor Solved
Before Miles’s invention, elevator doors had to be closed manually, often by dedicated operators. If an elevator shaft was not closed, people could fall through it, leading to horrific accidents. Miles improved on this mechanism by designing a flexible belt attachment for the elevator cage, and drums positioned to indicate that the elevator has reached a floor. The belt allowed for automatic opening and closing when the elevator reached the drums on the respective floors.
How this inventor changed the world (or at least their corner of it)
The influence of Miles’s elevator patent is still seen in modern elevator designs. The automatic opening and closing of elevator and elevator shaft doors, pioneered by Miles, are now standard features.
Lasting changes from this inventor’s work or how they trailblazed
Miles was granted a patent for his elevator door innovation in 1887. His elevator design innovation improved the safety and efficiency of elevators and has contributed to saving lives.
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/g30877473/african-american-inventors/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Miles
https://www.myblackhistory.net/Alexander_Miles.htm
