The Vulture. And he brought friends. I don't suppose any of your friends have my money.
--The Tinkerer
Beginnings & The Vulture
Elijah Stern was a scientist who worked for Roxxon's research and development. When Stern was fired from the company, he was, at the time, on the verge of discovering how to use vibranium as an unlimited power source. With his research and breakthrough ruined and instilled with vengeance, Stern hired supervillains Killer Shrike, Omega Red, and Vulture to commit a series of attacks on his former company.
When Stern sent out the Vulture to kill Roxxon's current boss Donald Roxxon, he was discovered by S.H.I.E.L.D., and they located him at his hideout. Nick Fury intimidated Stern into having a chance to work for S.H.I.E.L.D., in which Stern accepted.
Later, When the Vulture showed up with the rest of the Six in search of weapons, Stern accommodated.[1]
Death
Elijah was visited by Prowler, who blamed him for the equipment Thinkerer made for him. When Stern revealed the origin of the original Spider-Man to Davis, he realized Miles was the new Spidey. To keep this as a secret, he shot Stern.
The Tinkerer has extensive knowledge in
a wide variety of scientific disciplines and has a brilliant and innovative machanically oriented mind, producing multiple diverse inventions: His battlesuit designs include the Killer Shrike, Vulture and Slayer armors. He has a high degree of expertise in design and manufacture of inventive weapons and is genius with seemingly limitless capacity to invent, construct, repair, modify or upgrade mechanical devices derived from preexisting technologies.