The question of who made the first drone is more complex than it seems. Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have evolved from rudimentary experiments to sophisticated quadcopters and FPV machines dominating the skies today. While modern enthusiasts associate drones with consumer gadgets like the DJI Mini 4 Pro or racing drones equipped with GoPro Hero Cameras, their origins trace back over a century to military necessities and visionary inventors. This article explores the historical timeline, from early concepts to the tech innovations shaping aerial filmmaking, navigation systems, and autonomous flight.
Early Concepts: Balloons to Powered Prototypes
The idea of unmanned flight predates powered aircraft. In the 1840s, Austrian military engineers launched explosive-laden balloons against Venetian forces during the Siege of Venice. These were primitive, wind-dependent devices, but they marked humanity’s first attempt at remote aerial attacks.
Pioneering Experiments in the Late 19th Century
Fast-forward to 1898, when Croatian inventor Nikola Tesla demonstrated a radio-controlled boat in New York, laying groundwork for wireless control essential to modern stabilization systems. However, aerial applications emerged shortly after the Wright Brothers achieved powered flight in 1903. In 1916, British engineer Archibald Low created the “Aerial Target,” an unmanned biplane propelled by a 20-horsepower engine and controlled via radio from the ground. Intended as a target for anti-aircraft training, it flew briefly before crashing, but it earned recognition as one of the earliest powered UAVs.
These experiments highlighted challenges like unreliable radio signals and fragile airframes, issues that persist in early micro drones today. Low’s work influenced subsequent designs, emphasizing the need for better sensors and control mechanisms.
The Kettering Bug: America’s First Drone Ambition
In 1917, during World War I, American inventor Charles Kettering developed the Kettering Bug, a winged “aerial torpedo” for the U.S. Army. This 12-foot-long, gasoline-powered craft carried a 180-pound warhead and was preset to fly 75 miles at 50 mph before diving into targets. Launched from rails by springs, it used gyroscopes for basic navigation. Though only one test flight succeeded in 1918, the Kettering Bug represented a shift toward guided missiles, foreshadowing drone swarms in modern warfare.
World War II: Drones Go to Mass Production
World War II accelerated drone development, driven by the need for safe pilot training and reconnaissance. Germany deployed the V-1 Flying Bomb, a pulse-jet-powered cruise missile with rudimentary autopilot, launching over 30,000 units against Allied cities. While more missile than reusable drone, its preset guidance via GPS-like altimeters influenced later UAVs.
Reginald Denny and the Radioplane Revolution
The true milestone came from American actor-turned-aviation enthusiast Reginald Denny. In 1935, Denny founded Radioplane Company in Los Angeles, producing the Radioplane OQ-2, the first mass-produced drone. Over 15,000 units were built during WWII for $1,800 each—half the cost of a manned aircraft. Powered by a 2-stroke engine, it reached 100 mph and was radio-controlled for target towing. Actress Norma Jeane (later Marilyn Monroe) even assembled these at a factory, adding a Hollywood twist.
The OQ-2 featured basic obstacle avoidance through visual spotting and stabilized flight via wing dihedrals. Post-war, surplus Radioplanes introduced civilians to drones, paving the way for hobbyist models.
Post-War Advancements: From Military to Civilian Skies
The Cold War era saw drones evolve into sophisticated surveillance tools. In the 1950s, Ryan Aeronautical’s Ryan Firebee became a staple, recoverable via parachutes and capable of high-altitude reconnaissance. Equipped with early cameras, it prefigured today’s gimbal cameras and thermal imaging.
The Dawn of Rotary-Wing Drones
Fixed-wing dominance gave way to rotorcraft. In 1959, Bell Helicopter’s D-12 became the first VTOL drone, using tilting rotors for vertical takeoff. This innovation echoed in modern quadcopters. By the 1970s, Israel’s IAI Scout introduced tactical UAVs with real-time video feeds, revolutionizing battlefield intelligence.
Civilian applications emerged in the 1980s with Japan’s Yamaha R-MAX, an unmanned helicopter for crop-spraying, boasting autonomous flight paths. These paved the way for agricultural drones using remote sensing.
The Consumer Drone Boom: Parrot, DJI, and Beyond
The 21st century democratized drones, transforming them from military assets to tools for aerial filmmaking and recreation.
Parrot AR.Drone: The iPhone-Era Pioneer
In 2010, French company Parrot released the Parrot AR.Drone, the first consumer quadcopter controlled via smartphone apps. With dual cameras for FPV systems and Wi-Fi streaming, it flew indoors using ultrasonic sensors for altitude hold. Selling over 500,000 units, it ignited the hobby drone market and introduced features like AI follow mode.
DJI’s Domination and Innovation Surge
Chinese giant DJI entered in 2013 with the Phantom series, integrating 4K cameras, GPS, and three-axis gimbals. The 2015 DJI Phantom 3 added optical flow for indoor flight, while later models like the Mavic series introduced foldable designs and optical zoom. DJI’s ecosystem—complete with batteries, controllers, propellers, and apps—standardized the industry.
Racing drones emerged around 2015, with FPV goggles enabling high-speed cinematic shots. Events like the Drone Racing League showcased racing drones, blending speed with creative techniques.
Modern Innovations and the Future of Drones
Today’s drones leverage autonomous flight, AI, and advanced sensors for mapping, inspections, and delivery. Companies like Skydio push boundaries with 360-degree obstacle avoidance, while enterprise models handle mapping.
Accessories like cases and cases enhance usability, supporting everything from cinematic angles to thermal surveys. Yet, the spirit of pioneers like Denny and Kettering endures in every UAV.
So, who made the first drone? There’s no single inventor—it’s a lineage from Low’s Aerial Target to DJI’s marvels. Understanding this history enriches our appreciation for flight technology, urging safer, more innovative skies ahead.