Elisha Graves Otis, a self-taught mechanic with multiple inventions to his credit, is best known for inventing a safety device for elevators that prevented them from. Biography of Elisha Otis, the inventor of the modern safety elevator, and the founder of the Otis Elevator Company. Elisha Otis invented the safety break and started the elevator industry. Otis’ long history is a testament to our safety, service and performance. Elisha Graves Otis didn't invent the first elevator, but he invented something more important, the first passenger safety elevator. Read all about Otis invention and. 1811, Halifax, VT 1861, Yonkers, NY. At P.T. Barnum's Traveling World's Fair in New York, Otis rode up in an elevator and then slashed the retaining ropes with a saber. Elisha Graves Otis (3 de agosto de 1811 - 8 de abril de 1861 [1]) fue un inventor de Estados Unidos de un dispositivo de seguridad para elevadores y fabricante de. Elisha Otis. AKA Elisha Graves Otis. Invented the safety elevator. Birthplace: Halifax, VT Location of death: Yonkers, NY Cause of death: unspecified Remains: Buried. Elisha Graves Otis (August 3, 1811 – April 8, 1861) was an American industrialist, founder of the Otis Elevator Company, and inventor of a safety device that. Fascinating facts about Elisha Otis inventor of the elevator in 1852. Elisha Otis Elisha Graves Otis, (born August 3, 1811, Halifax, Vermont, U.S.—died April 8, 1861, Yonkers, New York), American inventor of the safety elevator.