Radar's aircraft detection began after World War I
Early radio wave experiments during World War I laid the groundwork for radar, leading to the first aircraft detection in 1922 and revolutionizing aerial defense.
While World War I experiments explored radio waves for detecting ships, the first verifiable radar detection of an aircraft happened in 1922. US Navy engineer Robert Page used a continuous-wave system to locate a biplane 1.5 miles away. This breakthrough, though post-war, built directly on WWI radio innovations. By the 1930s, radar systems like Britain's Chain Home network could detect aircraft up to 100 miles away. This early warning capability proved pivotal in World War II's Battle of Britain, saving countless lives by providing crucial time to prepare for incoming raids.