Who was the pilot that made the first take-off from a ship?

Eugene Ely is recognized as the first pilot to successfully take off from a ship. This major milestone in aviation history occurred on November 14, 1910, when he flew a Curtiss biplane off the deck of the USS Birmingham, anchored in Virginia. Ely's achievement was significant because it demonstrated the viability of naval aviation and the potential for aircraft to take off and land on ships, paving the way for future developments in military and commercial aviation.

His accomplishment marked a crucial moment in integrating flight operations into naval activities, highlighting the evolution of aircraft carrier design and the strategic importance of aviation in naval warfare. Each subsequent advancement in naval aviation can be traced back to pioneering efforts like those of Ely.