4.2. Historical Developments

The conception of using photographs for purposes of measurement appears to have been originated with the experiments of Aime Laussedat of the Corps of the French Army, who in 1851 produced the first measuring camera image for its application to topography. The first known aerial photograph was taken in 1858 by a French photographer and balloonist, Gaspar Felix Tournachon, known as Nadar. It was a view of the French village of Petit-Becetre taken from a tethered hot-air balloon, 80 m above the ground.

In the early days of photography, the idea of using photographs as a measurement tool was pioneered by Aime Laussedat in 1851. He created the first camera image that could measure ground features for topographical mapping. Just a few years later, in 1858, Nadar captured the first aerial photograph from a balloon, depicting a village. This marked the first practical use of aerial photography, laying the groundwork for its development in surveying.

Imagine trying to map a landscape by drawing it by hand; it’s tedious and time-consuming. Now think of how much easier it would be if you could simply take a photo from above. This is what Nadar’s groundbreaking work represented—a fast and effective way to capture a vast area without the painstaking process of manual mapping.

Later, besides hot air balloons, kites, pigeons and rockets have been used which carried cameras into space for taking air-photographs. In 1882, the English meteorologist, E. D. Archibald was among the first to take photographs from kites, and then in 1889, Arthur Batut took aerial photographs from a kite, in Labruguiere, France. The first aerial photograph from a rocket mounted camera was taken by the Swedish inventor, Alfred Nobel in 1897.

As the field of aerial photography evolved, various innovative methods were employed. After using balloons, inventors turned to kites and even birds like pigeons for photography from the air. In 1882, E. D. Archibald experimented with kite-based photography, continuing the trend of finding creative ways to capture aerial images. Alfred Nobel ventured into aerial photography using rockets in 1897, which highlights the experimental spirit and innovative techniques of that era.

Think of how we use drones today for photography. Just as drones or even advanced kites can capture stunning aerial shots, inventors over a century ago used whatever methods they could—including kites—to achieve the same goal. Both methods show human ingenuity in using technology to improve how we see the world from above.

The first successful aerial photography from an airplane piloted by Wilbur Wright was taken in 1909 by L.P. Bonvillain who took motion pictures of the military field at Centocelli, near Rome. During World War I (1914-1918), the battle maps used by both sides were created from these aerial photographs. After the war, the aerial photographs were used for civilian purposes.

The use of aerial photography transitioned into the military realm with the Wright brothers. In 1909, L.P. Bonvillain captured motion pictures from an airplane, indicating a significant technological advancement. Aerial images became crucial in creating battle maps during World War I. After the conflict, this technology found a new life in civilian applications as mapping and data collection expanded beyond military use.

Consider how maps are created for today’s military strategies using satellite imagery; similarly, during World War I, commanders relied on aerial images for strategic planning. The shift from wartime necessity to civilian application of aerial photography illustrates how innovations can have multiple uses based on societal needs.

Since year 1950s, the development of the photogrammetry went through four major phases: (a) Graphical photogrammetry, (b) Analogue photogrammetry, (c) Analytical photogrammetry, and (d) Digital photogrammetry.

Starting from the 1950s, photogrammetry saw significant advancements, delineated into four phases. The graphical phase introduced basic methods for image interpretation, while analogue photogrammetry (1900-1960) involved using film and manual techniques. The analytical phase, starting in the 1950s, integrated computing power for increased accuracy, followed by digital photogrammetry that harnessed high-resolution digital images and sophisticated software for analyzing and processing imagery.

Think of how the evolution from a basic cellphone to today's smart devices has transformed communication. Similarly, photogrammetry evolved from basic image making to complex digital processes, enhancing accuracy and expanding its applications in mapping, surveying, and remote sensing.

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