Who invented dyes?

I don't exactly know, I don't think there is an "official" inventor, since people of the "New World" also made them, but most likely it was started up during the Ice Age to later period. The Phoenicians (they occupied modern Lebanon) were about the largest producer of dyes in the ancient times (BC period) from clam shells, if that helps. ----- In 1856 William Perkin discovered the first artificial aniline dye derived from coal at the age of just eighteen. The colour was a completely unknown at the time and became known as mauve. Before this chemistry was largely theoretical, after this science created huge industries, and had fundamental effects on the development of explosives, perfume, Photography and modern medicine. Incidentally Perkin became hugely rich as a result.