Maitland Moir

Maitland Moir (born in Scotland in 1874, died in 1944) was a Scottish mechanical engineer. He is best known for his contributions to the development of the safety elevator.

Moir worked for the British engineering firm Fraser & Chalmers, where he focused on improving the safety and reliability of winding engines used in mines and elevators. He became a leading authority on the stress and strain in wire ropes, a crucial component in elevator operation. He developed innovative methods for calculating the stresses in wire ropes, taking into account factors such as acceleration, deceleration, and load distribution.

His research led to significant improvements in the design and maintenance of wire ropes, making elevators considerably safer. Moir's work helped establish standards and best practices for elevator safety, influencing elevator design and operation worldwide. He published extensively on the subject, contributing to engineering journals and handbooks.