The two men standing in front of the Prudden XM-1 trimotor monoplane are T. Claude Ryan (right) and George H. Prudden. Tubal Claude Ryan was a pioneering aircraft manufacturer and founder of aviation factories. In 1922, He established the Ryan Flying Company in San Diego, and provided regularly scheduled flights between San Diego and Los Angeles. The flights departed Los Angeles for San Diego at 9:00 AM, and from San Diego to Los Angeles at 4:00 PM. The fare for a one-way flight was $14.50, and a round trip was $22.50. During the early 1930s he founded the Ryan School of Aeronautics and the Ryan Aeronautical Company.  His significant contributions include the design and production of a series of revolutionary aircrafts that were widely utilized in the military.

• Photo of Tubal Claude Ryan