Eugene Burton Ely
Pilot
Famed aviator who performed with the Curtiss Exhibition team and made the first successful takeoff and landing on a ship.
He spent a lot of time repairing airplanes before setting his sights on a flying career.
He nearly crashed into the sea while taking off from a makeshift flight deck built on the USS Birmingham.
His wife, Mabel Hall, acted as his promoter and manager.
James Doolittle was another aviation pioneer.