In 1839, amateur chemist and photography enthusiast Robert Cornelius, then 30 years old, had created what is believed to be the first photographic self-portrait.
He had set up his camera at the back of his father's shop in Philadelphia, removed the lens cap, ran into the frame and sat stock still for five minutes before running back and replacing the lens cap.
He wrote on the back of the photo: "The first light picture ever taken. 1839."
He made a silver daguerrotype plate for the photographer Joseph Saxton, which sparked his interest in the field of photography.
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Following the self-portrait, Cornelius became a photographer specialising in portraits, but he only operated for about two years before returning to his father's lamp business.
He managed it for 20 years and held many patents for improved lamp designs. In fact, the business became the largest lighting company in America.