Aulë
Q: 'invention'
Aulë the Smith from Valarin is a Vala, Smith of the Powers and concerned with rock and metal. During the creation of Arda, Aulë was most involved in building the continents and mountains. He constructed Angainor, the chain of Melkor, and the vessels of the Sun and Moon. He is husband to Yavanna. His name apparently means invention.
Aulë created his own race of beings, the Dwarves, because he was unwilling to wait for the Children of Ilúvatar to appear. Ilúvatar knew of this and even as Aulë was instructing them He chastened Aulë. Aulë repented, offering his children to Ilúvatar, and Ilúvatar accepted them as His adopted children. Since Ilúvatar had decided that the Elves were to be the first-born race, He made the Dwarves to sleep until the Elves appeared on Arda.
When the Elves came to Valinor, the Ñoldor became the students of Aulë. Fëanor was his greatest pupil, and from him learned the craft to make the Silmarils. On the Flight of the Ñoldor, the Ñoldor who returned to Valinor under Finarfin renamed themselves Aulendur, Followers of Aulë.
Several Maiar were associated with Aulë: Sauron, before being corrupted by Melkor; and Curumo, who later went to Middle-earth as an Istar to combat Sauron.
