Aerial application, commonly known as crop dusting, has been around for more than 100 years. The first known aerial application took place in 1906 in New Zealand from a hot air balloon.
The first use by an actual airplane happened on Aug. 3, 1921, when a pilot climbed in a JN4 Jenny and spread, of all things, lead arsenate, to kill sphinx caterpillars on a farm near Troy, Ohio.
In 1924 Huff-Daland Crop Dusting would become the first aerial ag business in the nation using actual dust. Huff-Daland would expand and eventually become Delta Air Lines.
Crop dusting really became nationwide after World War II. New chemicals were introduced for farmers and surplus Army and Navy Air Corps trainers were available for as little as $250. Though less popular, the single wing Vultee BT-13 basic trainer was also used for aerial application...