The Kaiser's Curious Camera

摘要

In 1903 German inventor Alfred Maul patented his Fotorakete (photographic rocket), which may be regarded as the greatgrandfather of all modern aerialphotographic reconnaissance drone and satellite systems.The Fotorakete's largest component was a wooden stabilising rod 6m (19ft 9in) long. The nosecone, mounted at the top of the rod, contained a plate camera, a powder rocket for propulsion and a parachute to bring the contraption slowly to earth at the end of its flight. At the lower end of the rod was a set of cruciform fins to stabilise the rocket in flight. At launch the device weighed 38kg (841b).