Samuel B. Mosher

Samuel B. Mosher (1892 – 1970) was an American oil entrepreneur, industrialist and horticulturalist who, from a modest start, created Signal Oil and Gas (originally Signal Gasoline), which became the largest California-based independent oil company and then a diversified industrial company. Signal purchased Garrett AiResearch, an aerospace company, in 1964 and attempted to buy Douglas Aircraft in 1966, losing out to McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. In 1967 it purchased Mack Trucks and a bank and changed its name to The Signal Companies in 1968. In 1969, the year before Mosher's death, The Signal Companies had annual revenues of $1.5 billion (over $13 billion in 2025 dollars). but was noted later in life for his physical vigor. His doctors recommended that the family move to California. Mosher obtained a degree in agriculture from University of California, Berkeley in 1916

Between 1958 and 1959 Signal quickly merged with three other oil companies, emerging as a fully integrated oil company including a petrochemical business.

Flying Tiger Line and other non-oil businesses

Just before the end of World War II, Mosher was introduced to Robert Prescott, a flying ace of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the Flying Tigers, that fought against the Japanese in China. Prescott had the idea of founding a US freight airline, which appealed to Mosher due to his interest in transporting flowers. Mosher backed Prescott, becoming chair of what was originally National Skyway Freight, later changing its name to the Flying Tiger Line due to the background of Prescott and other partners. Mosher associates became key legal and financial executives of the nascent airline, which also, on his advice, quickly went public in 1946, providing it with a strong financial foundation.

Signal also backed Ralph Davies's successful bid to privatize the American President Lines (APL) shipping company in 1952.

In 1957, Signal bought the businesses of Laura Scudder, selling them on to Pet Milk Co. in 1962.

In 1963, following the death of its founder, Los Angeles aerospace company Garrett AiResearch was the object of a hostile takeover by Curtiss-Wright, and Signal stepped in to buy Garrett, closing the deal in January 1964. In 1966 Signal attempted to buy Douglas Aircraft, losing to McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, but purchased Mack Trucks, as well as an Arizona bank in 1967.

Personal life Mosher was married three times and had a daughter. He was a member of the University of California Board of Regents, a trustee of Occidental College, a director of Ducks Unlimited and member of many other clubs and organizations.