Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's 1827 Heliograph Recognized as First Permanent Photograph

In 1827, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce captured the first known permanent photograph, titled Point de vue du Gras. Born on March 7, 1765, in Chalon-sur-Saône, he initially aimed for a career in the priesthood before joining the military during the French Revolution. After returning to Burgundy in 1801, he invented the pyréolophore, recognized as the first internal combustion engine, in 1807. Niépce began working on heliography in 1816, creating stable images on polished pewter. His attempt in 1822 involved reproducing an engraving of Pope Pius VII, while the 1827 photograph required days of exposure. Although he traveled to England that year to showcase his invention, he faced rejection. Niépce passed away on July 5, 1833, and the photograph was rediscovered in 1952, now housed at the Harry Ransom Center.