Cameras have existed long before the introduction of photography. Cameras are important as they help in capturing moments and memories that can be preserved for generations to come. Images captured by the camera are stored both in soft and hard copies. If not for the invention of cameras, some ancient and historic places which are recognized won't have been possible.

History of the camera

Camera obscura (from Latin, meaning “darkened room”) is a device in a shape of a box or a room that let the light through a small opening on one side and projects it on the other. In this simple variant, image that is outside the box is projected upside-down. More complex cameras can use mirrors to project image upwards and right-side up, and they can also have lenses. Camera obscura is used as an aid for drawing and entertainment. In the ancient times the camera was not used to create images but used to study optics. An Arab physist Ibn-al-Haytham (his name in Latin is Alhazen) in the 11th century wrote books about optics, including experiments relating to a small amount of light in a darkened room which is the concept behind camera obscura.

Who invented the first Camera?

The first portable camera was designed by Johann Zahn in 1685. Not much progress was made in the development for up to approximately 130 years later. Most of the attempts to make cameras in between were futile. It was not until the year 1814 when Joseph Nicephore Niepce clicked the first photograph. The credit for the invention of the first camera is therefore co-shared between Johann Zahn and Joseph Nicephore Niepce. The photo taken by Nicephore was not permanent. It was taken using a small camera he made himself and a silver chloride-coated piece of paper, Niepce was able to capture an image. As silver chloride darkens when exposed to light, it could effectively capture the scene. The only problem, though, was that it was impossible to remove the remaining unexposed silver chloride. This eventually caused the entire image to go black.

Louis Daguerre is given the credits for inventing the first ever practical photography in 1829. It took Daquerre over a decade attempting to come up with an effective method for the photography. All the progress Daquerre made was in partnership with the Nicephore. The ownership rights were sold to the French Government, which in turn took the responsibility of developing daquerreo type studios in different parts of the country. Alexander Walcott invented the first camera that produced photos that did not fade quickly. From this point onwards, several people were involved in developing the methods and camera for superior quality images.

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When was the first camera invented