You can learn more about our selection of companies, including how they started and where they are today.
Founded as Continental-Caoutchouc- und Gutta-Percha Compagnie, Continental grew from rubber products into tires and automotive systems. Its history includes war, technological setbacks, acquisition-led growth, takeover pressure, and the later separation of major businesses.
Michelin’s history began with an 1889 family-business restart and grew through removable and radial tires, road-travel services, international expansion, major acquisitions, and a broader materials strategy.
Bridgestone began as a Japanese tire manufacturer in 1931 and grew through postwar modernization, overseas production, and the Firestone acquisition. Its later history includes a major recall crisis, compliance failures, fleet-management acquisitions, and portfolio restructuring.
Goodyear’s history includes rapid early growth, a financial crisis that ended founder control, a costly shift to radial tires, and a 1986 takeover fight that reshaped the company’s portfolio.
IBM began as C-T-R in 1911 and repeatedly changed with the computing industry. Its history runs from punched-card systems and System/360 to the IBM PC, services, Red Hat, cloud, and enterprise AI.
Coca-Cola began as a pharmacy fountain drink in Atlanta. Its history follows the bottling system, international expansion, New Coke, changing ownership structures, and the broader beverage portfolio that followed.
The Kroger Co. expanded through regional combinations and new retail capabilities, then encountered regulatory and economic limits on some later growth plans. Its history connects early vertical integration with today’s multi-banner grocery business.
The modern PepsiCo story starts with the 1965 merger of Pepsi-Cola and Frito-Lay. The company later expanded into restaurants, refocused on packaged foods and beverages, added Quaker and Gatorade, and repeatedly reshaped its portfolio.
Chrysler’s history spans engineering breakthroughs, financial crises, and repeated ownership changes. Follow the lineage from the 1925 corporation through DaimlerChrysler, bankruptcy, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and today’s Stellantis brand.
Dyson grew from James Dyson’s long search for a better vacuum into a global technology group. Its history includes the DC01 breakthrough, manufacturing changes, beauty and cordless expansion, a Singapore restructuring, and ambitious projects that did not continue.