The inductor, as a concept, wasn’t exactly "invented" by a single person, but its development is attributed to several key figures in the field of electromagnetism.
However,
Michael Faraday is often credited with the foundational discovery related to inductance. In 1831, Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction, which is the principle behind how inductors work. He showed that a change in the magnetic field could induce an electric current in a conductor.
Later,
Joseph Henry, an American scientist, independently discovered self-induction and mutual induction around the same time. He even demonstrated the first use of an inductor to store energy in a magnetic field, which laid the groundwork for the use of inductors in electrical circuits.
So, while Faraday’s experiments led to the concept of induction, it was Henry who further explored the practical applications of inductance and laid down the groundwork for the inductor as we know it today.