Daguerreotypes are one of the earliest forms of photography, invented in the 1830s by Louis Daguerre. This process involves exposing a silver-coated copper plate to light, which creates a detailed image. The plate is then developed using mercury vapor, resulting in a unique, one-of-a-kind photograph. These images are known for their clarity and fine detail, making them popular for portraits in the mid-19th century. However, daguerreotypes are fragile and can be easily damaged. They were eventually replaced by more advanced photographic techniques, but they remain an important milestone in the history of photography.