Research & Development World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • Educational Assets
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE

Drone Patent Filed by Tesla in 1898 Surfaces Online

By Ryan Bushey | August 22, 2016

Legendary inventor and engineer Nikola Tesla, famous for designing the alternating current electric supply system, was known for having his share of controversial predictions about the future in the early 1900s.

He predicted a wide array of items using electricity that would become smartphones and robots. But a patent has surfaced online showing he foresaw drones, as well, powered by a well-known power source.

Excerpts of the patent granted to Tesla on Nov. 8, 1898 were posted online last week by technologist Matthew Schroyer.

The document, titled “Method of Apparatus for Controlling Mechanism of Moving Vessels or Vehicles,” described how this invention would not require electrical conductors or wires to move. The drone would rather move by “producing waves, impulses, or radiations, which are received through the earth, water, or atmosphere,” per the patent. These waves would be transmitted to the autonomous vessel as long it stayed within range of the signal.

This system Tesla writes about are radio waves, reported Gizmodo. Radio waves were discovered in the 19th century and played an important part in helping the development of unmanned aerial vehicles.

You can read a PDF of the patent here.

Related Articles Read More >

IBM’s second-generation, 156-qubit Quantum Heron processors offer reduced error rates, 16× better performance, and 25× faster speeds than 2022 systems. The Heron can run quantum circuits with up to 5,000 two-qubit gate operations using Qiskit—nearly double what IBM achieved in 2023.
Quantum computing edges closer to biotech reality in Moderna-IBM pact
Hands-on with Patsnap’s Eureka Scout: Strong features meet evolving AI backbone
Researchers developed an AI tool to help build greener buildings
8 R&D developments to keep an eye on this week: A $12B AI unicorn, gut microbes vs. ‘forever chemicals’ and a record-breaking black hole
rd newsletter
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, trends, and strategies in Research & Development.
RD 25 Power Index

R&D World Digital Issues

Fall 2024 issue

Browse the most current issue of R&D World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading R&D magazine today.

Research & Development World
  • Subscribe to R&D World Magazine
  • Enews Sign Up
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Drug Discovery & Development
  • Pharmaceutical Processing
  • Global Funding Forecast

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search R&D World

  • R&D World Home
  • Topics
    • Aerospace
    • Automotive
    • Biotech
    • Careers
    • Chemistry
    • Environment
    • Energy
    • Life Science
    • Material Science
    • R&D Management
    • Physics
  • Technology
    • 3D Printing
    • A.I./Robotics
    • Software
    • Battery Technology
    • Controlled Environments
      • Cleanrooms
      • Graphene
      • Lasers
      • Regulations/Standards
      • Sensors
    • Imaging
    • Nanotechnology
    • Scientific Computing
      • Big Data
      • HPC/Supercomputing
      • Informatics
      • Security
    • Semiconductors
  • R&D Market Pulse
  • R&D 100
    • Call for Nominations: The 2025 R&D 100 Awards
    • R&D 100 Awards Event
    • R&D 100 Submissions
    • Winner Archive
    • Explore the 2024 R&D 100 award winners and finalists
  • Resources
    • Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • Educational Assets
    • R&D Index
    • Subscribe
    • Video
    • Webinars
  • Global Funding Forecast
  • Top Labs
  • Advertise
  • SUBSCRIBE