Chevalier, Charles Louis (1804-59), French optical specialist who joined his father Vincent in the manufacturing of optical and scientific instruments in Paris. He informed Daguerre of Niépce's work and was instrumental in bringing them together. Chevalier made experimental cameras and lenses for Daguerre and the Giroux daguerreotype camera of 1839 was sold with a Chevalier meniscus achromatic lens off/14 aperture. His combination lens was sold from 1841 to 1859 and was adaptable for landscape or portraiture by changing lens elements. Chevalier produced the first collapsible camera in 1840 and the company advertised photographic chemicals and apparatus from this time.
— Michael Pritchard
