When was the free market established?

The concept of a free market began to take shape during the late 17th and 18th centuries, particularly with the work of economists like Adam Smith, whose influential book "The Wealth of Nations" was published in 1776. However, the principles of free market economics can be traced back to earlier trade practices and mercantilism. The establishment of a free market system has evolved over centuries, influenced by various political and economic changes.