What were Drones Initially Made For?

 From humble beginnings as, remote-controlled toys to simple tools used in warfare to multi-purpose devices that we now use for exploration, photography, and even package delivery, drones have come a long way.

 Unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, have a unique history that is fascinating to study because of how they have emerged into new markets and uses throughout time.

Imagine killing an enemy with a drone. Drones date back to the early 20th century with the first pilot-less aircraft. With World War I came the need to think out of the box and go beyond the normal in warfare. This led to the creation of the Kettering Bug by Britain and the United States of America (USA), which was one of the first Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to ever be made. Nonetheless, drones were not employed as they ought to be until World War II. They became more widely utilized particularly in surveillance and reconnaissance operations.

Drones began to acquire favour in non-military areas as well as the military as technology continued to advance following the wars. In the history of drones, there have been some key moments and breakthroughs that have become a vital part of our modern world, and I would like us to explore them:

·  Leonardo da Vinci: The history would not be complete without sighting the role that Leonardo da Vinci played. The concepts and drawings of the well-known inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci are where the idea of deploying unmanned flying aircraft originated. Da Vinci imagined mechanical devices that could fly without a pilot in the late 15th century, resembling birds and bats.

The flying machine concepts created by Leonardo da Vinci were groundbreaking at the time. Da Vinci's plans were never constructed or put into flight, but they did set the stage for later advancements in unmanned flying.

·  Early Beginnings: Balloons and Kites: To comprehend the history of drones, we must first examine their forebears, kites and balloons. These aerial technologies predate drone technology by several centuries. It is said that it is difficult to pinpoint exactly when drones were invented given that technology has advanced over time and that their popularity has only lately increased.

 In the ancient days, kites and balloons served different purposes, from simple recreational activities to complex military operations:

Ø  During the Song Dynasty (960-1279), kites took on military applications for signalling, surveying, and even lifting soldiers into the air.

Ø  Meanwhile, balloons entered the scene in the 18th century in France. In 1783, the Montgolfier brothers launched the first hot air balloon carrying passengers, setting the stage for aerial exploration and transportation.

 As time went on, kites and balloons were increasingly employed for scientific experiments and surveillance.

As we explore the fascinating origins of drones, we see their unexpected beginnings. But this is just the start. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we will be explaining how these early innovations evolved into the versatile tools we know today.

You won’t want to miss it.