The question “When was the drone created?” doesn’t have a single, definitive answer. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), evolved over more than a century through military necessities, technological breakthroughs, and civilian innovation. What we recognize today as drones—compact, camera-equipped quadcopters like the DJI Mini 4 Pro—stem from early experiments in remote-controlled flight. This article traces their history from rudimentary prototypes to the sophisticated FPV racing drones and AI-powered systems dominating modern skies.
Early Pioneers and the Dawn of Remote-Controlled Flight
The concept of unmanned flight predates powered aviation. In the late 19th century, inventors toyed with aerial torpedoes and gliders, but the first true drone-like device emerged during World War I.
Archibald Low’s Aeronautical Wire-Guided Target (1916)
Often hailed as the father of modern drones, British engineer Archibald Low demonstrated the Aerial Target in 1916. This piston-powered biplane, controlled via radio signals, was designed to simulate enemy aircraft for anti-aircraft training. Low’s innovation combined radio technology with basic stabilization, laying groundwork for future navigation systems. Though it crashed on its maiden flight at Hendon Aerodrome, it proved remote control was viable.
Around the same time, American inventor Peter Cooper Hewitt experimented with radio-guided drones, but Low’s work gained prominence. These early machines lacked autonomy, relying on line-of-sight control, yet they introduced key elements like gyroscopic stabilization—precursors to today’s stabilization systems.
World Wars: Drones as Weapons of War
World War I accelerated drone development, but it was World War II that saw practical deployment.
The Kettering Bug and Radioplane OQ-2
In 1918, Charles Kettering unveiled the Kettering Bug, a flying bomb with pre-set navigation via an onboard gyroscope and altimeter. It could travel 75 miles at 50 mph before diving into targets. Though never used in combat due to the war’s end, it influenced later designs.
WWII brought mass production. The Radioplane OQ-2, developed by Reginald Denny and later involving a young Walt Disney in its design, became the most-produced aircraft in U.S. history—over 15,000 units. Powered by a 2-stroke engine, it trained gunners with radio control. Actress Regina Carter assembled many, highlighting the era’s unconventional workforce. These target drones introduced pulse-code modulation for reliable control, echoing modern sensors.
Post-war, the U.S. and Soviet Union refined these into reconnaissance tools. The Ryan Firebee, first flown in 1951, used jet propulsion and ground control, serving through Vietnam.
Cold War Advancements: From Reconnaissance to Autonomy
The Cold War transformed drones from targets to strategic assets, integrating advanced electronics.
Jet-Powered UAVs and Satellite Guidance
The 1950s saw the Ryan Firebee evolve with GPS-like inertial navigation. By the 1960s, drones like the AQM-34 photographed Soviet sites without risking pilots. The Vietnam War deployed over 3,400 Firebees, with 80% survival rates.
The 1980s introduced the MQ-1 Predator, a General Atomics creation blending piston engines with satellite links. Debuting in 1995, it enabled real-time video feeds, revolutionizing surveillance. Predators incorporated early obstacle avoidance via radar and flew 24-hour missions.
Parallel military efforts spurred civilian tech. Elmer Sperry’s 1910s gyrocompass influenced drone autopilots, while DeSeversky’s radio controls paved the way for autonomous flight.
The Consumer Drone Boom: 2000s to Present
Military tech trickled down in the 21st century, birthing the consumer market.
DJI and the Quadcopter Revolution
Chinese firm DJI ignited the boom with the 2006 DJI Phantom series. Affordable, GPS-stabilized quadcopters featured gimbal cameras for steady 4K footage, making aerial filmmaking accessible. The 2013 Phantom 2 added FPV systems, enabling cinematic shots like sweeping flight paths over landmarks.
By 2015, drones like the DJI Mavic folded for portability, integrating AI follow mode and optical zoom. Micro drones for racing emerged, with racing drones hitting 120 mph using GoPro Hero Camera for immersive FPV.
Accessories exploded: batteries for 30-minute flights, controllers, propellers, and apps for mapping. Thermal imaging enabled remote sensing, while optical zoom enhanced inspections.
Regulations and Innovations
The FAA’s 2016 Part 107 rules legitimized commercial use, spurring agriculture, delivery, and filmmaking. Drones now map fields autonomously, avoid obstacles with LiDAR, and create Hollywood-grade shots—think drone swarms for light shows.
Today, innovations like DJI Avata blend FPV with cinelifters, while enterprise models handle thermal surveys. The future promises hydrogen fuel cells and beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights.
The Future of Drones: Beyond Creation
Drones weren’t “created” on one date but iteratively refined. From Low’s 1916 target to AI quadcopters, they’ve shifted from weapons to tools for creativity and efficiency.
| Era | Key Milestone | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Aerial Target | First radio-controlled flight |
| 1918 | Kettering Bug | Pre-programmed navigation |
| 1940s | Radioplane OQ-2 | Mass-produced training drones |
| 1995 | MQ-1 Predator | Satellite-linked surveillance |
| 2013 | DJI Phantom | Consumer quadcopter era |
As tech & innovation accelerates, drones will integrate with AR for immersive filmmaking and swarms for urban delivery. Their story continues, reshaping skies worldwide.