Military drones have been used since the late 19th century when Austria launched explosive balloons at Venice, and saw increased development and usage during World Wars I and II and the Cold War. However, it was not until around 2015 that domestic drones became widely popular, due to key flight technologies like Lithium-ion batteries, motors, and stabilization/GPS becoming inexpensive and accessible to consumers. The emergence of inexpensive drone components has created new career and industry opportunities in what is still a young and growing sector.

1. Drones
by Kleston Masters

2. This

3. And this…

4. Military drone

5. Austrians attacked the
Italian city of Venice
with unmanned balloons
loaded with explosives
known as Austrian
balloons.

6. • WWI – First pilotless
aircraft developed.
• Interwar period – After
WWI, more UAVs
developed for war.

7. • WWII – Large scale
production of UAVs for
War purposes.

8. • Cold War – More UAVs.
• Long period of military
drone developments from
1946 - Present

9. 2015
Fast-forward to

10. Domestic drones
became popular
In 2015

11. After nearly a
Century…Why now?

12. Inexpensive

13. Inexpensive
Accessible

14. Inexpensive
Accessible
Practical

15. The key technologies required for drone
flight were developed and made
inexpensive in an overlapping timeframe.

16. “All three advancements were coupled with
a significant reduction of manufacturing
costs.” – Lee Laster

17. The LIPo Battery

18. The LIPo Battery
Better motor

19. The LIPo Battery
Better motor
Smaller Stabilization & GPS Tech

20. New
Careers & Industries

21. Drone
Industry still young

22. Thank you