Final answer:
The first hominid thought to have made stone tools was Homo habilis, associated with the Oldowan tool industry dating back approximately 2.6 million years. However, there is evidence that stone tools could predate this species, with other hominins potentially being the creators.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first hominid genus that made stone tools is debated, as the earliest human-made stone tools dating from about 2.6 million years ago were long attributed to Homo habilis. This species was thought to have created the Oldowan tools, which was the genus that marked the emergence of toolmaking. However, recent discoveries and research suggest that stone tools might predate Homo habilis, with possible creators including other hominin species like Australopithecus garhi.
Homo habilis, meaning "handy man," had a larger brain and less pronounced jaws compared to Australopithecus, which preceded it. This species was initially considered the first to create stone tools, used for tasks such as butchering meat and cutting plants. Despite the complexities surrounding the origins of toolmaking in hominid history, Homo habilis remains a significant figure due to its association with the earliest stone tool industry, known as the Oldowan.