First photographs

Although people were experimenting with primitive photography techniques, pin-hole cameras, camera obscuras, etc. for centuries, the first permanent photograph is said to have been created around 1825 by Nicéphore Niépce. Niépce referred to this type of images as heliographs (sun writings). Using a plate coated in bitumen, he exposed the plated with a camera obscura over an 8-hour period. After he washed the plate with lavender oil, the View from the Window at Le Gras appeared.

Currently, the original plate is on display at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, at the University of Texas at Austin.