Who discovered the waltz?

There is no one person who can be credited with having "discovered" or invented the waltz. Rather, the waltz evolved gradually over time from various earlier types of folk dances in Europe, particularly in Austria and Germany. The roots of the waltz can be traced back to the late 17th century when a dance called the "Ländler" or "ländlerisch Tänze" (country dances) was popular in these countries. Over time, these dances began to evolve, incorporating faster tempos, spins, and turns, eventually leading to the emergence of the waltz with its distinctive triple-time beat. However, it wasn't until the early 19th century that the waltz really gained broader popularity across Europe and internationally.