Cyborg Pigeons

Back in 1903, the inventor Julius Neubronner decided on an experiment unprecedented at that time — to combine a pigeon and a photographic apparatus. To do this, the innovator equips the birds with automatic cameras. Having reduced the size of the camera, Julius places them on the pigeon's chest. Despite the maximally lightweight design of the device, the birds could not fly at an altitude above 100 meters. The pneumatic system made it possible to take clear photos, compensating for the fluttering of the pigeon's body in flight. Five years after the invention, Neuerbronner received a patent "Method and means for photographing landscapes from above". The inventor achieved the greatest recognition in 1909 during the International Photo Exhibition in Dresden. Visitors could see firsthand how cyborg pigeons arrive with cameras on their chests to the inventor, the negatives were immediately displayed, printed and immediately sold.

The Cyborg Pigeons of Julius Neubronner (1903)

Veteran innovative shooting - Frankie the pigeon - made about forty sorties (1907)

Captured landscapes from a bird's-eye view

Improved shooting system (1908)

Inventor Julius Neubronner removes a camera from a flying pigeon (1909)