Wilbur Day was a scientist at A.I.M. who stole designs for a hydraulic ramming device from the company out of frustration of his position in his job. He soon invented a battle-suit based on stolen schematics for the Iron Man armor, with a few cosmetic touches added by the unknowing Melvin Potter, and tried his hand at petty villainy-- looting stores and robbing pedestrians as the criminal Stilt-Man, coming into conflict with Daredevil.
Wilbur was eventually released from Ryker's Island by a paid bail courtesy of Wilson Fisk's remaining associates in order for him to serve as an enforcer in his newly restructured criminal organization's Emissaries.