# Marilyn Monroe Discovered In Drone Factory

> Marilyn Monroe was found working at a military drone factory in 1945.
- Title: Marilyn Monroe Discovered In Drone Factory · Jalopnik
- Summary: Marilyn Monroe was found working at a military drone factory in 1945. Marilyn Monroe was discovered by a photographer at a Radioplane Company drone factory…
- Keywords: marilyn monroe, radioplane, reginald denny, yank, v-e day, blue book modeling agency, drones, military, cars, culture, Marilyn, Monroe
- Source: Jalopnik — https://jalopnik.com/2276163/drones-marilyn-monroe-radioplane-reginald-denny
- Author: Charles Krome
- Published: 2026-10-03T16:05:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: marilyn monroe, radioplane, reginald denny, yank, v-e day, blue book modeling agency, drones, military, cars, culture
## Marilyn Monroe's Early Job
Marilyn Monroe was 19 in 1945 and worked at a Van Nuys, California factory assembling military drones.
## Radioplane Company Background
The Radioplane Company, founded by actor Reginald Denny, produced military drones for the U.S. Army.
## Photographer's Discovery
Sgt. David Conover photographed Marilyn Monroe at the factory in June 1945, calling her 'half child, half woman.'

> I came to a pretty girl putting on propellers and raised the camera to my eye. She had curly ash blond hair and her face was smudged with dirt. I snapped her picture and walked on. Then I stopped, stunned. She was beautiful. Half child, half woman, her eyes held something that touched and intrigued me.
## Marilyn's Modeling Contract
Conover helped Marilyn sign with Blue Book Modeling Agency, leading to her first professional contract in August 1947.
## Historical Context
The photos were taken a month after V-E Day, as the U.S. military used drones for aerial targets in 1945.
## Key takeaway

Marilyn Monroe was discovered by a photographer at a Radioplane Company drone factory in 1945, leading to her first modeling contract.