History Of Photography

The French mathematician, physicist, astronomer and politician François Arago (February 26, 1786 - October 2, 1853) announces the invention of the daguerreotype at the French Academy of Sciences: «Mr. Daguerre has discovered particular screens on which optical image leaves a perfect imprint; screens where everything contained in the image is reproduced in minute detail, with incredible accuracy and finesse». Under the patronage of the French government, beating other scholars who for years and elsewhere had been dedicating themselves to parallel studies on the permanent stabilization of images created by light, photography was officially born. Engraving, France, Paris, January 7, 1839. (Photo by Fototeca Gilardi/Getty Images)