I've done some research on the use of the word "Drones" and there are 3 possible explanations all stemming from the early ages of aviation that seem plausable:
1. The noise that Archibald Montgomery Low's early remotely piloted aerial target aircraft made was very much a fixed "drone".
2. The aerial targets of the day were painted yellow with a black stripe.
3. The first successful remotely piloted aircraft was the DH Queen Bee (see pic).
Now all I need is a date with the "thinking man's totty" from Balderdash & Piffle and I'll be happy
Anyone else care to chip in?
The B Word