Quadcopter Drones & Drone History
Remote-controlled drones have existed since the 1900s. To be more exact, 1907. While you may think you know everything about your flying craft, you may not be familiar with the extensive and interesting history of the drone. Knowing the history is a great way to determine where the industry might be headed. Throughout this article, you will learn the past and present of drone history, as well as predictions of the future of drones. You will be surprised that quadcopter drones, began being invented in 1907. Keep reading to learn more.
The Past
The first unmanned torpedo boat was created in 1898 by Nikola Tesla. It was intended for warfare. However, Tesla kept up hope that it would help to discourage actual conflict. His reasoning was to keep the boat accessible by easy means, showing a sign of strength to other nations that they can protect their ports. Tesla’s ideas about it didn’t come to be, but it did lead to the creation of remote-controlled drones, thanks to Tesla’s technology.
Military drones, such as the quadcopter drones, began being invented in 1907, thanks to Professor Charles Richet, Jacques Breguet, and Louis Breguet. This early quadcopter drones were large in size and was considered uncontrollable because of it. It did, however, make an altitude of several feet.
By World War I, the government had introduced an aircraft that was unmanned. It was utilized in military operations. In 1915, the Kettering Bug was introduced to battle. The bug was basically a torpedo that was unmanned. However, it was tricky in comparison to the drones we see today. It required a good amount of math to calculate the engine revolutions needed to reach its target. Once those revolutions were resolved, the bomb and aircraft would drop out of the sky onto the target thanks to the wings letting go of the craft.
Like all technology, the drone continued to evolve during the 20th century. In the ’50s, the unmanned helicopter was introduced. The first modern military drone was created by the Israeli military in 1973. Its primary function was to be a surveillance drone. It sent a live stream video to its origins.
The military pushed the bar a step further in 1994, and this was when an aircraft that was unmanned was created. It was known as the General Atomics AQ-1 Predator. It flew remotely. With no pilot aboard, it was truly a groundbreaking moment in drone history.
Though, the drone didn’t stay strictly a military tool. People began to utilize these tools for other reasons than military warfare. Miles of pipeline in areas that are not exactly close by are inspected via drone. This lead to other industries taking advantage of these drones to further their business. Shortly after, the FAA began to issue commercial licenses to those looking for recreational use.
The Present
While we use military drones during present-day warfare and intelligence gathering, they do have a variety of different purposes to the public. Amateur photographers and hobbyists use drones recreationally. Commercially, you will find quadcopter drones being used by farmers, construction workers, realtors, and other industries. Law enforcement uses drones for surveillance, while the entertainment industry uses drones to capture normally hard to get angles.
The Future We See
The direction of drone technology is unpredictable, and the possibilities are vast. Now, shipping companies seek to use drones for delivery purposes. They have the potential to monitor traffic and expand wider views for dangerous situations for law enforcement. As the progression of quality increases for HD cameras, amateur photographers will be able to capture more professional shots.
Conclusion
It is important to appreciate the history of the drone, and next time you pick one up, keep the history in mind. The past 120 years have been kind to drones, and it is exciting to see what another 120 years will do for them.
