Photographic Surveying Tools
Photographic Surveying Tools

The oldest surveying instrument was known as an acid bottle. When taking a survey the tool aligned itself with the axis of the hole but the surface of the acid remained level. The instrument was left in this position for about 30 minutes, allowing the acid to etch a sharp line on the glass container which indicated the hole angle.

This system did not however determine the direction of the wellbore.
https://www.drillingmanual.com/2017/12/photographic-surveying-tools.html