A painter locked himself in a lab for two years trying to create a lasting image using light. Then he accidentally broke a thermometer – and changed photography forever

Louis Daguerre, a painter by trade, revolutionized photography by attempting to capture lasting images using light. Notably, his quest began after Nicéphore Niépce's creation of early permanent photographs, which took an impractically long eight hours to complete. In 1826-1827, Niépce produced what's believed to be one of the first permanent photographs, but the process was far from efficient.

Daguerre, who worked with Niépce on a new process involving lavender oil, persisted in refining it, despite the long exposure times.

After Niépce's death in 1833, Daguerre's obsession with perfecting the process led him to spend nearly two years locked in his laboratory, trying various chemicals. This period of intense experimentation culminated in the accidental discovery that a broken thermometer, with leaked mercury vapors in an adjacent cabinet, triggered a photo development.

This serendipitous event, coupled with previous discoveries, allowed Daguerre to significantly shorten the exposure time from eight hours to mere minutes. The daguerreotype, thus, became the first practical photography process, enabling images to be captured in just 3-8 minutes.

Further refinements, including the use of bright optics, reduced exposure times to mere seconds. This groundbreaking invention not only transformed photography but also led to its acceptance by fine artists, who initially viewed the camera as a threat to their craft. Daguerre's legacy in photography is undeniable, marking a pivotal moment in the history of visual arts.