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Inventors
Alexander Miles
1838–1918
Invented the automatic elevator door, making elevators safe for public use.
📖Biography
Alexander Miles was an African American inventor and businessman best known for patenting an improved automatic elevator door mechanism. His design prevented the dangerous open-shaft accidents that were common with manual elevator doors.
Key Achievements
1
Patented the automatic elevator door in 1887
2
Inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2007
3
Operated a successful barbershop and real estate business
Inventions
Automatic elevator door mechanism
Legacy & Impact
Miles' automatic elevator door mechanism is the foundation of all modern elevator safety systems, preventing countless injuries and deaths.