Who created the A Star algorithm?

Can you enlighten me on the origins of the A Star algorithm? Who was the visionary behind this pathfinding masterpiece? I'm intrigued to know if it was a solitary genius or a collaborative effort. Additionally, I'm curious about the motivation behind its creation and how it has evolved over time to become a staple in various fields, including robotics, game development, and even cryptography. Surely, its creators must have had a profound impact on the world of algorithms and computing.