<p>Impelled by the evolving needs and requirements of war, industry, and society, drone technology has a long record of continuing development. A mature engineering discipline that involves artificial intelligence, biomimicry, and miniaturization has resulted from what initially was a fairly simple remote-controlled robot in early twentieth century origins, utilized primarily as a target and for reconnaissance. Drones have evolved over the years to be highly valuable high-tech warfare weapons as well as commercial, industrial, and even personal tools. Agriculture, logistics, environmental science, film production, emergency management, and many more use them increasingly. Insect-mimetic drone design-low, highly agile and biology-integrated systems that fly into regions respectful of larger drones and conduct sensitive ecological science or stealthy surveillance-has been a research subject of the past few decades. This article reviews the entire history of drone technology, its milestones, development of its multi-faceted components, including propulsion systems, navigation, sensors, communication channels, and structure, and the possibilities and limitations of the new biomimetic designs. In doing so, it attempts to provide a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which drones have evolved from primitive military innovations to some of the most sophisticated technological marvels of the time.</p>