08/03/2026
On August 3, 1921, agricultural aviation took flight. ✈️🌾
What began as a single experiment over a grove of catalpa trees in Ohio became the start of an industry that continues to serve agriculture more than a century later. Using a modified Curtiss "Jenny" biplane, Lt. John A. Macready made six passes over trees infested with catalpa sphinx moth larvae, applying lead arsenate by hand from a 32-gallon hopper. The entire application took just 54 seconds, and six days later, less than 1% of the insects remained. That success proved aerial application could protect crops quickly and effectively, launching the agricultural aviation industry.
The footage in this video comes from the 1955 film Agricultural Aviation, capturing the early years of an industry that has continued to evolve. Today, agricultural aviation is still pushing forward with new technology, precision guidance, improved aircraft, advanced products, and data-driven application techniques. Every season, pilots and operators continue finding better ways to help farmers protect crops, improve efficiency, and maximize yields.
Here's to 105 years of innovation, precision, and serving agriculture from above.
🎥 Historic footage courtesy of the 1955 film Agricultural Aviation via the Internet Archive.