ExxonMobil, the lovechild of John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, was officially founded in 1999 when Exxon and Mobil decided that two corporate behemoths are better than one. With roots stretching back to 1870, this oil giant has become synonymous with both energy dominance and environmental controversy—a company that, in true capitalist fashion, has turned crude oil into gold while keeping climate scientists on speed dial. Milestones include being the world’s most valuable public company (before tech came along and spoiled the party). Its legacy? A masterclass in navigating the fine line between fueling the world and setting it on fire.
