March 7, 1765 an important day in photography

[Joe Lipka]

Celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, born this day in 1765. Made the earliest known photograph (or heliograph) in 1826 (or 1827 depending on who you believe.)

 

[jovo]

I shall get some bitumen of Judea and lavender oil to celebrate!

Actually, to read what the man went through to arrive at a stable image is to read an amazing story. And all that in addition to inventing fuel injection I think. (I've never heard his name pronounced. Perhaps someday.....)

 

[AgX]

Funny, jovo, just after reading the initial post I had the same question.

"But how is his name pronounced??"

By acccident I asked an interpreter French just these days, she did not know either.

And what about Du Hauron and...

I mean, speaking about photo history and not knowing how to pronounce crucial names makes me feel unease.

But as your question is somewhat older, I guess those right pronunciations will never be unveiled...

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

My understanding of the pronunciation is "Knee-Yeps" or some close analogue.

 

[copake_ham]

So I went to Mr. Google seeking to learn what "bitumen of Judea" was and up popped an article from "Photo History" on the work of the fellow in question and there is the first paragraph it states: "...Niépce (pronounce it nee-eps)....".

Don't know if this is correct but it must be - I read it on the Web!