Who was the first economist who first analyzed the advantages of specialization and the division of labor?

The first economist to analyze the advantages of specialization and the division of labor was Adam Smith. In his seminal work, "The Wealth of Nations," published in 1776, Smith illustrated how dividing tasks among workers increases efficiency and productivity. He famously used the example of a pin factory to demonstrate how specialization allows workers to focus on specific tasks, leading to greater output. This concept laid the foundation for modern economic theory regarding labor and production.