Written by Ada Perello What if we told you that the story of crewed aerial surveying in Europe began with a photographer dangling from a balloon over Paris?
Ada is the Communications Manager of the European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI), where she works to raise awareness of the essential role that crewed aerial surveying plays in delivering accurate, large-scale geospatial data. Through articles in leading industry publications, she helps showcase the unique capabilities of technologies used in crewed aerial platforms, such as LiDAR, aerial imagery, and sensor fusion. With 20 years of experience in communications, including roles at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), her expertise lies in making complex technological concepts accessible to diverse audiences.
What if we told you that the story of crewed aerial surveying in Europe began with a photographer dangling from a balloon over Paris? The remarkable journey of vision, invention, and continuous innovation that followed has transformed how we see, measure, and manage our world. Over more than a century, airborne photogrammetry has evolved from those daring experiments in the skies above the City of Light to a high-tech industry mapping entire countries with breathtaking speed and accuracy.
Early Pioneers: When Photography First Took Flight
The roots of aerial surveying and photogrammetry trace back to the 19th century. In 1858, French photographer and balloonist Gaspard-Félix Tournachon (Nadar) captured the world’s first aerial photograph from a hot air balloon over Paris, proving that photography from the sky was possible and inspiring generations of innovators. Around the same time, French scientist Aimé Laussedat began experimenting with using photographs for mapping, earning him the title “father of photogrammetry.” By 1859, Laussedat had developed the first camera and procedures specifically for photogrammetric measurements, which he called “iconometry”.
The term “photogrammetry” was coined by German architect Albrecht Meydenbauer in 1867, who also introduced wide-angle lenses for architectural surveys. Together with Laussedat’s work in France, Meydenbauer’s contributions established Europe as the birthplace of photogrammetry. The term “photogrammetry” was coined by German architect Albrecht Meydenbauer in 1867, who also introduced wide-angle lenses for architectural surveys.
World War I: When Necessity Became the Mother of Innovation
The outbreak of World War I marked a turning point. European militaries, recognizing the strategic value of aerial images, began mounting cameras on airplanes for reconnaissance and mapping. This shift from balloons to powered flight enabled the rapid, systematic collection of images over vast areas, laying the groundwork for modern aerial surveying.
By war’s end, thousands of aerial photographs had been captured, providing unprecedented detail for battlefield planning and post-war reconstruction. The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2, widely used for reconnaissance and aerial photography in the United Kingdom during World War I, became one of the workhorses of this new era.
Photo credit: Fly over Elverum. Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 fly. – Glomdal Museum, Norway – CC BY-NC.
Photo caption: The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 waswidely used for reconnaissance and aerial photography in the United Kingdom during World War I.
Civilian Expansion and Technological Convergence
After the war, Europe was left with a surplus of military aircraft. Visionary engineers and entrepreneurs repurposed these planes for peacetime mapping and land surveying. In the UK, companies like Aircraft Operating Company and Fairey Air Surveys emerged as industry pioneers, adapting aircraft from Vickers and Fairey for survey missions.
The 1920s and 1930s saw the convergence of aerial technology and photogrammetric science through major technological leaps:
Aerial Cameras: The introduction of dedicated aerial photogrammetric cameras, most notably the WILD C2 developed by Swiss engineer Heinrich Wild in the 1920s, marked the beginning of professional airborne photogrammetry. This camera, designed specifically for mapping from the air, captured high-resolution, vertical images ideal for mapping applications and set new standards for accuracy and efficiency.
Photogrammetric Methods: The development of stereoscopic techniques transformed raw images into detailed, measurable maps. European scientists, especially in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, developed plotting instruments that enabled the extraction of three-dimensional measurements from two-dimensional images. The mathematical basis for photogrammetric triangulation was established, with stereo-photogrammetry revolutionizing mapmaking.
Aircraft Platforms: Early surveys used a variety of surplus planes, but the evolution toward robust platforms like the C-47 Dakota post-WWII enabled the carrying of heavier, more sophisticated equipment and operations in challenging conditions.
Sensor Integration: By the 1950s, aerial surveyors began incorporating new sensors, such as magnetometers, expanding applications beyond traditional mapping to include mineral and oil exploration.
Photo credit: Foto- en Filmdienst Vliegbasis Ypenburg – Netherlands Institute for Military History, Netherlands – CC0.
Photo caption: The Douglas C-47 Dakota (X-2) at Ypenburg Air Force Base (the Netherlands) The dynamic interplay between European precision and international innovation continues to propel the industry forward.
Photo credit: National Geographic Institute of Spain (IGN)
Photo caption: The photogrammetric aerial survey of the Segura Basin (1929–1930) conducted by Julio Ruiz de Alda was a groundbreaking project in Spanish cartography and aerial photography. This flight, commissioned by the Confederación Hidrográfica del Segura, produced thousands of high-quality aerial images that were later restored and digitized for modern use
Technological Evolution Through Distinct Phases
Photogrammetry has progressed through distinct technological cycles: terrestrial photogrammetry (1850–1900), analog photogrammetry (1900–1960), analytical photogrammetry (1960–present), and now digital photogrammetry. Each phase brought new instruments, methods, and applications.
The mid-20th century saw the mass production of analog plotters by European firms such as Zeiss (Germany), Wild Heerbrugg (Switzerland), and Kern (Switzerland). These companies didn’t just manufacture instruments—they developed the theoretical foundations and practical methodologies that governed aerial surveying worldwide, setting global standards for photogrammetric equipment.
The Digital Revolution: When Computers Took Flight
The digital era, beginning in the late 20th century, has transformed both the aerial platforms and photogrammetric processing. What happens when you combine the precision of traditional photogrammetry with the power of digital processing? The transition from analog to digital technology represented another European-led revolution, with companies across the continent pioneering digital photogrammetric workstations, automated image processing, and GPS-integrated navigation systems.
Advances in sensor technology, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence have enabled the rapid processing and analysis of massive datasets. Today’s advanced aerial surveying platforms—whether crewed aircraft equipped with LiDAR systems, high-resolution cameras, or multi-spectral sensors—combine the aerial technology innovations with sophisticated photogrammetric processing capabilities.
European Leadership: A Legacy That Continues
As the European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI), we’re proud to share this foundational story of how aerial surveying began on our continent. From the first daring balloon flights to the sophisticated photogrammetric methods developed in European laboratories, these early innovations laid the groundwork for the global industry we know today.
Yet this is only one chapter in a much longer story. The baton of innovation has since crossed continents—American ingenuity has expanded the field further, from satellite imagery to the development of advanced LiDAR systems. The dynamic interplay between European precision and international innovation continues to propel the industry forward.
The history of aerial surveying is rich and far from complete. In future articles, we hope to explore more of the milestones, challenges, and breakthroughs that have shaped—and will continue to shape—this ever-evolving field.
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