Hephaestus created Pandora in Greek mythology, according to Hesiod’s account of her origin.
The gods made Pandora after Zeus decided to punish humanity for Prometheus’s theft of fire. Hesiod says Hephaestus, the divine smith, formed her from earth, giving the first woman a crafted physical body. Other gods then contributed qualities or gifts: Athena taught her crafts, while Aphrodite gave her grace and desire. Hermes supplied persuasive speech and a deceptive character.
Pandora’s name means “all-gifted” or “all-giving,” reflecting the gifts bestowed on her by the gods. She was sent to Prometheus’s brother Epimetheus, despite Prometheus’s warning not to accept anything from Zeus. The later popular image of Pandora as emerging from a box is based on a translation tradition; Hesiod described a large storage jar, or pithos. Hephaestus’s role is therefore about creating Pandora herself, not making the container.