Who took the first photograph and in what year?

Nicéphore Niépce is credited with taking the first successful photograph, known as "View from the Window at Le Gras," in 1827. This process involved using a camera obscura and a material called bitumen of Judea, which allowed for an exposure time of several hours. This early photograph is significant as it marks the beginning of photography as we understand it today, paving the way for future advancements in the field.

Other notable figures in the history of photography, such as Louis Daguerre and Henry Fox Talbot, made significant contributions as well; however, their work followed Niépce's pioneering effort. Daguerre developed the daguerreotype process in 1837, enhancing the technology and making photography more accessible. Talbot's work in 1841 introduced negative-positive processes, furthering the development of photography. George Eastman's contributions in 1888 revolutionized the accessibility of photography with the introduction of the Kodak camera, but he did not take the first photograph. Each of these individuals played a crucial role in the evolution of photography, but it was Niépce who holds the distinction of taking the very first photo.