When was first line detection algorithm created and when line detection problem was posed?

I wonder when was first line detection algorithm created (first used in practice and refrenced by any publications) and when line detection problem was posed (I know it can look like generaal edge detection problem but it is quite more complex than that)?

Solution

Here is my approach for your question:

First, I searched line detection in Google Scholar.

The first 2 returned results are:

A study of retrospective and on-line event detection

New prospects in line detection by dynamic programming

Second, I opened the 2nd link, as the 1st is obviously unrelated.
Third, I searched for one of most oldest references in that paper.
Fourth, that paper (Linear Feature Extraction and Description) is shared by USC, and enjoys 528-times references according to Google Scholar.

According to the introduction part of the paper and the reference count, it seems to be the one of the oldest ones for line (not just edge) detection.