"View from the Window at Le Gras"

Date: 1826/1827

The oldest known photograph didn't just capture a scenic view of Saint-Loup-de-Varennes in eastern France. Using a fixed image camera and a piece of paper coated with silver chloride that darkened where light hit it, Nicephore Niepce captured the future of how mankind would share images. It made possible all of our photographs of our kids, parents, and lovers—not to mention our selfies.

Today the photo lives at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas.