Who made the first flight from the deck of a ship?

Eugene Ely is recognized for making the first successful flight from the deck of a ship, specifically the USS Birmingham, in 1910. This monumental event marked a significant advancement in aviation and naval operations, illustrating the potential for aircraft to be launched from naval vessels. Ely used a biplane and took off from the ship while it was anchored, demonstrating the feasibility of using ships as a platform for aviation.

His demonstration was not only about the flight itself but also paved the way for future developments in naval aviation, leading to the integration of aircraft into military operations at sea. This achievement is historically significant and is often cited as a formative moment in the evolution of aircraft carrier operations.