In October or November 1839, one Robert Cornelius, then 30 years old, set up his camera at the back of his father's shop in Philadelphia (below), removed the lens cap, ran into the frame and sat stock still for five minutes before running back and replacing the lens cap. In so doing, he had created what is believed to be the first photographic self-portrait.
Image: Self-portrait by Robert Cornelius (Image levels adjusted) IMAGE: LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
