Who was the first person to invent the first purpose-built and practical aerial camera?

Aerial photography is the practice of taking photographs from an aircraft or other airborne platforms. When taking motion pictures, it is also known as aerial videography.

The first purpose-built and practical aerial camera was invented by John Moore-Brabazon (1884-1964), an English aviation pioneer and Conservative politician. He designed and developed his invention in 1915 with the help of the Thornton-Pickard Company, greatly enhancing the efficiency of aerial photography.

The camera was inserted into the floor of the aircraft and could be triggered by the pilot at intervals.

Moore-Brabazon also pioneered the incorporation of stereoscopic techniques into aerial photography, allowing the height of the objects on the landscape to be discerned by comparing photographs taken at different angles.

He went on to serve as Minister of Transport and Minister of Aircraft Production during World War II. He retired from the service of both the British Army and the Royal Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, having served in World War I on the Western Front, where he played a key role in the development of aerial photography and reconnaissance.