Who was the first person to take off from and land on a ship?

The first person to take off from and land on a ship was LT Eugene Ely. This significant achievement occurred in 1910, marking a pivotal moment in aviation history. Ely's successful takeoff and landing demonstrated the viability of naval aviation and paved the way for the future development of aircraft carriers.

Ely took off from a platform on the USS Birmingham, using a makeshift ramp, and later landed on another ship, making a profound impact on military operations and naval tactics. His contributions to the field of aviation are recognized as foundational, as they helped to spur further interest and investment in aircraft technology for naval applications.

In contrast, the other individuals listed made notable contributions to aviation but did not achieve the specific milestone of taking off from and landing on a ship. Charles Lindbergh is primarily known for his solo transatlantic flight; Glenn Curtiss was a pioneer in early aviation, particularly in seaplanes and the development of aviation technology; Amelia Earhart is famous for her transatlantic flight and her efforts to promote women in aviation. Thus, while all these figures are iconic in their own right, none matched Ely's groundbreaking naval aviation achievement.