Nicéphore Niépce was a French inventor and pioneer in photography, born in 1765. He is best known for creating the first permanent photograph in 1826 or 1827, using a process called heliography. This early photograph, titled "View from the Window at Le Gras," required an exposure time of several hours. Niépce collaborated with Louis Daguerre in the 1820s, which eventually led to the development of the daguerreotype, a more practical photographic process. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern photography, making him a significant figure in the history of visual arts.