Photographic plate

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Photographic plates preceded photographic film as a capture medium in photography. The light-sensitive emulsion of silver salts was coated on a glass plate, typically thinner than common window glass. They were heavily used in the late 19th century. With the spread of photographic film, the use of plates declined through the 20th. They were still used in some communities, particularly in science and medicine, until the late 20th century.