When was the first welder invented?

The first welding processes date back to ancient times, with evidence of metal joining techniques used by the Egyptians around 3000 BC. However, modern electric arc welding was developed in the late 19th century, with significant advancements occurring in the 1880s. The first patent for an electric arc welding method was granted to Nikolai Benardos in 1881, and by 1888, another significant development by Auguste de Méritens contributed to the technology's evolution.