The camera, as we recognize it today, was invented around 1816 by French inventor Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. He created the first photographic camera and took the earliest permanent photograph in 1826 or 1827, which shows a view from his home at Le Gras, France. Niépce's camera used silver chloride-coated paper, and the image required several hours of exposure to light. Before Niépce's invention, the camera obscura existed for centuries, which was an optical device that projected images but could not capture or preserve them. The first portable camera design was proposed by Johann Zahn in 1685, but it was not physically realized until Niépce's time. Louis Daguerre later improved upon this technology in 1839 by inventing the Daguerreotype, a more practical photographic camera method, which helped advance camera technology further. In summary:
- Camera obscura concept: Known since ancient times, with mention as early as the 5th century BC.
- First photographic camera invented: 1816 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce.
- First permanent photograph: Taken in 1826/1827 by Niépce.
- Portable camera design proposed: 1685 by Johann Zahn.
- Daguerreotype invented: 1839 by Louis Daguerre, advancing photographic cameras closer to modern forms.
