Sometimes just knowing tjhat something is possible is all it takes.
We all know that the Daguerreotype process was announced in 1839. That it was so widely used so rspidly attests to the practicality of the process and the strong demand for images.
But how early in time was it possible? Was the technology available before 1820 or 1800 even? Mercury and Silver were known in ancient times. Optical quality glass technology as early as Galileo in the 1500s. I am thinking that Iodine was the latest basic item in the process to become available. . . .but when?
If someone actually KNEW what to do to create a lasting image on Silver, how early could it have been done?
Same question for the salted papers and albumin processes thet Fox-Talbut worked with . . If one knew how then how early could it have been done? Is the availability of Silver Nitrate the technology that sets the time limit here?
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