In the space of just over ten years, from the first heavier than air powered flight by the Wright Brothers, the aircraft found itself entering into the war to end all wars. There is little wonder, considering how new the concept of powered aircraft was, that the flying-machine as a military weapon was not taken particularly seriously by commanders outside of aviation in August 1914. During the early stages of the conflict the usefulness of the aircraft was recognised as a reconnaissance machine and artillery spotter, both of which were particularly dangerous roles. At the beginning air forces on all sides were small with machines being counted in the tens and low hundreds, but by 1918 all could call upon thousands of aircraft capable of performing a variety of roles.