Did old propeller aircraft begin takeoff off-center to counter p-factor?
Why ask in past tense? The Mü-23 motor glider has a central wheel and would need someone to hold a wingtip during take-off. Sometimes, a different technique is used: The aircraft is parked at a right angle to the (grass) runway, with the wingtip pointing into the intended take-off direction on the ground. When the pilot opens the throttle, he steps on the rudder, causing the aircraft to swerve into the desired direction and rotating into a horizontal attitude thanks to the centrifugal force.



Akaflieg München Mü-23 (picture source)