In 1839, 30-year-old Robert Cornelius took the world's first self-portrait or selfie at the back of his father's shop in Philadelphia, Mashable reported.
For this, he removed the lens cap, ran into the frame and sat stock still for five minutes before running back and replacing the lens cap.
Son of a Dutch immigrant, Cornelius went on to became a photographer specialising in portraits.
He later returned to his father's lamp business and managed it for 20 years.
His company was touted as the largest lighting company in the US.
Retired in 1877, Cornelius died in 1893.
