The question of when the first drone was flown invites a fascinating journey through aviation history, blurring the lines between early unmanned experiments and today’s sophisticated quadcopters and UAVs. While modern enthusiasts associate drones with buzzing FPV racers or cinematic gimbal cameras, the roots stretch back nearly two centuries. Defining a “drone” broadly as any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) controlled remotely or autonomously, the first instances emerged in military contexts long before consumer models like the DJI Mini 4 Pro revolutionized aerial filmmaking.
This article traces the evolution from explosive balloons to AI-powered autonomous flight systems, highlighting key milestones that paved the way for drone racing, obstacle avoidance, and thermal imaging capabilities.
Early Pioneers: Balloons and the Dawn of Unmanned Flight
The earliest recorded “drone” flights predate powered aircraft, relying on wind and rudimentary guidance. In 1849, during the Siege of Venice, Austrian forces under General Joseph von Lallemand launched unmanned hot-air balloons loaded with explosives. These were not remotely controlled but floated toward enemy positions, marking the first weaponized unmanned aerial attacks. Over 200 such balloons were deployed, though accuracy was abysmal due to unpredictable winds.
This concept echoed earlier ideas from the 18th century, like the 1783 experiments by the Montgolfier brothers in France, who sent animals aloft in tethered balloons. However, militarization accelerated in the 19th century. By the American Civil War (1861–1865), Confederate inventor Charles Perley proposed aerial torpedoes dropped from balloons, though none flew operationally.
19th-Century Experiments and Visionaries
Visionaries like Nikola Tesla contributed indirectly in the 1890s with his work on radio waves, laying groundwork for remote control. In 1898, Tesla demonstrated a radio-controlled boat at Madison Square Garden, proving wireless commands over distance—a principle later adapted to aircraft.
Meanwhile, in Britain, Lawrence Hargrave’s 1890s box kites influenced early flight stability, concepts now integral to stabilization systems in micro drones. These precursors showed unmanned flight’s potential, but lacked propulsion and precision.
World War I: The First Powered Drones Take Flight
The Great War catalyzed true drone development. In 1916, Britain introduced the Aitken Aerial Target, a basic radio-controlled plane for anti-aircraft training. But the landmark was the Kettering Bug, developed by Charles Kettering for the U.S. Army in 1918.
This 40-pound, gasoline-powered biplane had a 12-foot wingspan and preset gyroscope guidance to fly 75 miles at 50 mph before diving into a target. Tested successfully in Ohio, it never saw combat due to the war’s end. The Kettering Bug is widely regarded as the first purpose-built drone, introducing preset navigation akin to modern GPS waypoint flying.
Archibald Low’s work in Britain paralleled this. His 1917 Ruston Proctor AT1 was radio-controlled via a human operator on the ground, using basic radio signals for training. These machines foreshadowed sensors and navigation tech, though reliability issues like signal interference persisted.
Interwar and World War II: Radio Control Comes of Age
The 1920s and 1930s saw civilian radio control boom, thanks to hobbyists like Captain C.C. Gale. Military programs ramped up: Japan’s 1935 radio-controlled bomb influenced kamikaze tactics, while Germany’s V-1 “buzz bomb” (1944) used basic autopilot—essentially a cruise missile drone.
In the U.S., Hollywood actor-turned-aviator Reginald Denny founded Radioplane Company in 1936. His Radioplane OQ-2, mass-produced during WWII, became the most-built aircraft in history at over 15,000 units. This wooden, pulse-jet powered target drone trained gunners, with actress Norma Jeane (later Marilyn Monroe) assembling some on the factory line.
Iconic WWII Drones: Queen Bee and Beyond
Britain’s de Havilland Queen Bee, first flown in 1935, was a Tiger Moth biplane converted for radio control. Over 300 served as targets, inspiring the term “drone” from the bee analogy. These featured two-channel radio for throttle and rudder, early analogs to modern controllers.
Post-war, the U.S. Interstate BQ-1 and Republic-Ford JB drones advanced TV guidance, prefiguring FPV systems. By 1946, over 10,000 target drones had flown, normalizing unmanned ops.
Cold War Advancements: Jet Age and Reconnaissance Drones
The Cold War shifted drones toward reconnaissance and missiles. The 1951 Ryan Firebee, a jet-powered UAV, flew over 30,000 missions, including Vietnam photo-recon with autopilot and optical zoom cameras.
Soviet Lavochkin La-17 and U.S. Lockheed D-21 reached Mach 3 speeds, incorporating early remote sensing. The 1960s Ryan 147 Lightning Bug series overflew China, gathering intel autonomously.
These eras introduced recoverable drones with parachutes and advanced telemetry, influencing today’s mapping drones. By the 1970s, Israel’s Scout UAV provided real-time video, a direct precursor to 4K cameras.
The Modern Era: From Military to Consumer Quadcopters
Consumer drones exploded in the 2010s, building on military tech. The 2006 Ikaros quadcopter by Swiss researchers at ETH Zurich demonstrated stable multirotor flight. In 2010, Parrot AR.Drone brought smartphone-controlled quads to gamers, with WiFi FPV.
DJI’s 2013 Phantom series democratized pro features: GPS-assisted takeoff, 4K gimbals, and apps for aerial filmmaking. Today, AI follow mode tracks subjects autonomously, while racing drones push FPV speeds over 200 mph.
Accessories evolved too: high-capacity batteries, carbon-fiber propellers, and protective cases. Innovations like DJI’s obstacle sensors and thermal payloads enable creative cinematic shots.
Key Milestones in Drone History
| Year | Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1849 | Austrian balloon bombs | First unmanned aerial attacks |
| 1918 | Kettering Bug | First powered preset drone |
| 1935 | Queen Bee | Radio-controlled trainer |
| 1951 | Ryan Firebee | Jet recon UAV |
| 2010 | Parrot AR.Drone | First consumer quadcopter |
| 2013 | DJI Phantom | Pro-sumer revolution |
The Future of Drones: Beyond the First Flight
From 1849 balloons to swarms with obstacle avoidance, drones embody relentless innovation. Early risks honed today’s safety features, like redundant stabilization systems. As micro drones shrink and GoPro Hero cameras capture epic flight paths, the first drone’s legacy soars.
Regulations now balance innovation with privacy, but the trajectory points to urban delivery, disaster response, and immersive FPV. Whether tracing history or plotting your next cinematic angle, understanding these origins enriches every flight.