Louis Daguerre was a French artist and photographer, best known for inventing the daguerreotype, the first practical method of photography. Born on November 18, 1787, he initially worked as a painter and set designer, which influenced his later work in capturing images. In 1839, he announced his invention, which allowed for detailed and permanent images to be created on polished metal plates. The daguerreotype process involved exposing a silver-coated copper plate to light, then developing the image with mercury vapor. This revolutionary technique significantly advanced the field of photography and laid the groundwork for future developments, making Daguerre a pivotal figure in the history of visual arts.