The utility locator was not created by a single individual; rather, its development involved contributions from various inventors and organizations over time. However, a significant milestone in its evolution was marked by the invention of the modern electromagnetic utility locator. Robert M. Schonstedt, an engineer who founded Schonstedt Instrument Company in 1953, is credited with inventing one of the first commercially successful pipe and cable locators based on electromagnetic induction principles. His invention revolutionized the utility locating industry by providing a reliable and efficient method for detecting metallic pipes and cables buried underground. Since then, continuous refinement and innovation by numerous companies and inventors have led to the diverse range of utility locators available today, each contributing to the improvement of safety and efficiency in excavation and construction projects by accurately mapping and identifying underground utilities.