Who started Tao?

Who was the originator of Tao? Could you enlighten me on the figure behind this profound philosophy? I'm quite curious about the genesis of this concept and how it came to be. Was it a philosopher, a thinker, or perhaps a group of individuals? Did this individual live in a specific era or culture? I'm also interested in knowing the historical context surrounding the emergence of Tao. Was it a response to certain social or political conditions? Or did it arise out of personal contemplation and intellectual pursuits? I'm eager to learn more about the person or persons who initiated this influential way of thinking.