Blog Historic Aerials

Drone view of flood-damaged roadways and bridges along the Guadalupe River near Comfort, Texas, after flash flooding.

Aerial History of Flash Floods: Texas 2025 to SoCal 1938

Flash floods have shaped American history for generations. Each one reminds us that we cannot stop extreme rain, but we can reduce its impact. After every major event, local agencies,

Sketch illustration of a photographer completing steps of the wet plate collodion process of photography

The Wet Plate Revolution And The Birth Of Aerial Photography

Aerial photography did not begin with airplanes or satellites. It began with a technical problem that early photographers could not yet solve: how to make a clear, reliable photograph from

From Blurry Skies to Clear Shots: Aerial Photography’s Game-Changing Moment!

Today, we take for granted the ability to access aerial images of almost any location in the world with just a few clicks. From satellite views to drone footage, these

High-Altitude Espionage:The Powers Incident

In the early days of the Cold War, the United States faced a critical challenge: gathering intelligence on the Soviet Union’s nuclear capabilities. Satellites were not yet operational, and reconnaissance

Nadar and the First Aerial Photograph

Hot air balloons had captivated imaginations since the late 18th century, when the Montgolfier brothers first sent humans aloft in their groundbreaking invention. By the mid-19th century, balloons were still

From War to Discovery: How WWI Pioneered Aerial Archaeology

World War I revolutionized military tactics with the introduction of aerial reconnaissance, but its legacy extended far beyond the battlefield. After the war, veterans who had trained as photo interpreters

Above the Trenches: WWI and the Revolution in Aerial Reconnaissance

World War I is defined by its horrific mechanized violence that slaughtered millions of soldiers. The desperate necessities of that brutal war served as a catalyst for rapid technological development,

Lindbergh and the Birth of Aerial Archaeology in the Americas

Charles Lindbergh is best remembered for his historic transatlantic flight, but his contributions to archaeology are less known. His fascination with using planes for archaeological discovery began in the summer

Aerial Insights: Exploring the Aftermath of the 1957 Ruskin Heights Tornado

In May 1957, an F5 tornado tore through the Ruskin Heights neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, leaving 44 dead, over 500 injured, and a path of destruction that reshaped the

Aerial Insights into America’s Ghost Towns

The American landscape is dotted with ghost towns—silent remnants of bygone eras. Once bustling with life, these towns were abandoned due to economic downturns, natural disasters, or technological changes. Well-known

Tracing Suburban Growth Through Aerial Images

Suburbs have become woven into the fabric of American life, stretching out from city centers and transforming what was once forest and farmland into sprawling neighborhoods, shopping centers, and winding

Submerged More Of America’s Flooded Places

Imagine standing at the edge of a serene lake, its calm waters reflecting the sky above. But beneath this tranquil surface lies a world long forgotten—roads that once bustled with