ABSTRACT
Aerial surveillance began when humans climbed trees and cliffs to get a better view of food, shelter, fuel sources, predators, and the activities of other people. When great fleets of ships began to sail the seas, telescopes were used from atop crow’s nests to site lands and other ships. Not long after humans first flew in hot air balloons, they realized they could use telescopes, binoculars, and photographic equipment from better vantage points, to extend their ability to see and record from unprecedented heights and soon they began developing devices especially made for use on planes, helicopters and spacecraft.
