Nicephore Niepce

In 1896, Nicephore Niepce created the first successful permanent photograph. It was captured at Sanit-Loup-de-Varennes of a roof surrounding the countryside of his estate. He created the photo with a camera obscura focused onto a 20 x 25 cm pewter plate coated with bitumen of Judea which is similar to asphalt. The photo was exposed for 8 hours, which resulted in the photo showing the two buildings on both sides. As of 2012, the photograph is at the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center. Niepce was born in Chalon-sur-Saone, Saone-ir-Loire. His father was a very wealthy lawyer; which caused his family to flee into the French Revolution.