Richfield Oil Company was an early creator of aircraft beacons in Southern California

The phrase “flying by the seat of your pants” began in the early years of aviation when pilots had to rely on their instincts and the “feel” of the seat and controls to navigate aircraft.

Radios and instruments weren’t widely used in aircraft until the mid-1930s, and pilots had to navigate by recognizing terrain and landmarks, following signs on the ground, and eventually, following lighting beacons for night flights.

When World War I ended in 1918, aircraft began a rapid evolution into peacetime...