What is the correct word to complete this sentence: "The ____________ of this machine was a local farmer who stayed in the area even after the wealth and fame he found."?

The best choice to complete the sentence is “inventor.” The sentence is discussing the person responsible for creating or designing the machine, which in this case would be referred to as an inventor. An inventor is defined as someone who creates or originates something, particularly in the context of machines or devices. This context fits perfectly with the description provided, indicating that this person was a local farmer who made significant contributions.

The other options, while they all relate to the concept of creation or ingenuity, do not serve the same grammatical function or meaning in this context. "Invention" refers to the actual machine created, "inventing" refers to the process of making something new, and "inventive" describes a quality of being creative or original, rather than identifying the individual who created the machine. Thus, “inventor” is the most appropriate word to complete the sentence accurately.