Smithsonian posted a gallery of "ten of the world's oldest everyday objects," including the above photo by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce from 1826 or 1827, thought to be the oldest surviving photograph.
It's titled "View from the Window at Le Gras" and housed at the University of Texas's Harry Ransom Center.
Niépce, considered the father of photography, invented the camera out of necessity because he couldn't seem to master drafting images by hand. As early as 1793, Niépce talked about the possibility of capturing images through light. By using a mixture of bitumen of Judea, which hardened and became insoluble after prolonged exposure to light, Niépce was able to capture the first photograph from a camera onto a pewter plate.
Check out the other objects Smithsonian selected, including a soccer ball, book, and leather shoe: "Where to See the Oldest Artifacts in the World"
More background on "The First Photograph" here at the Harry Ransom Center.
