What is the origin of using the term "lift off" for a rocket launch?

Question

Who is credited for coining the phrase?

Answer 1

somebody liked the phrase so it stuck

Answer 2

Lift off happens the instant the thrust of the rocket engines overcomes the weight of the rocket and excedes the force of gravity- the result is the upward movement of the vehicle and breaking away from it's launch pad.  Lift off has been used since the early days of rocket technology to describe the beginning of the rockets flight.

Answer 3

Thunderbirds are go!!!!! =] nahh im only kidding it was likely some apolo mission director makeing a fool of himself

Answer 4

Rockets provide "lift" to rise from the surface.  When something is lifted, it rises up (or off) the surface.  So "lift off" is a natural phrase to mean rising from the surface.

It came into common usage in the 1950's for when a launch vehicle or rocket is used to carry a payload from the Earth's surface into orbit or into space.

Answer 5

I never thought about it or researched it.   I guess that  "push off," would be more accurate?  Even that could be a little misleading too, though...