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Published online 5 December 2007 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news.2007.320
News: Briefing
A timeline of Earth observation
People have always tried to look at our planet in new and different ways, and through the years they've invented a number of methods with which to do so. Here's a look at some of the notable moments in the history of Earth monitoring.
1840s: Cameras attached to balloons provide the first-ever aerial photography, with kites following soon after.
1903: Photos taken from carrier pigeons become the latest fad after a German engineer designs a small camera to strap on to the birds.
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