5 Most Valuable Companies In History

4. Standard Oil

Peak Market Capitalization:$3 trillion+

Standard Oil dominated the oil and gas industry in the United States in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s thanks to M&A and economies of scale. Due to its dominance, Standard Oil also made John Rockefeller the world’s first billionaire. Founded in 1863, the company became so big that eventually the government split it up with the Sherman Antitrust Act. Given its dominance of the market, Standard Oil would have likely been worth multiple trillions at its peak in today’s prices.