Alexander Miles, the famous African American inventor known for his contributions to the elevator industry, grew up in a time when formal education was not easily accessible for many African Americans, especially in the 19th century. It is believed that Miles did not attend high school. Instead, he likely received a basic level of education, as many children of his era did, before beginning his career. His achievements in innovation were largely driven by his practical experiences and need to solve everyday problems, which ultimately led him to invent the automatic elevator doors that significantly improved elevator safety.