Fortune Then...Fortune Now...

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The first-ever Fortune 500 was published in 1955. 

60 years later we look back at where the companies 
from the head of the class—Fortune 500 companies 1-10, 
with revenues ranging from $1.7-$9.8 billion—are now. 

Some no longer exist, some exist by another name 
and/or as shadows of their former corporate selves, 
and some still stand today as the biggest names 
in corporate America.

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1. General Motors

After declaring bankruptcy 
and getting bailed out 
by Uncle Sam in 2009,
it’s still riding high at #5. 

GM has owned 
and parted with...Saab, 
Hummer, and EDS
(Electronic Data Systems)

Lowest rank ever: #15
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 2. Exxon Mobil

The oil giant debuted 
on the first-ever 
F-500 at #2. 

1972: Esso became Exxon.

1999 begat Exxon Mobil 

Lowest rank ever: #4

Ugliest moment: 
Exxon Valdez oil spill 
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3. US Steel

American steel industry 
isn’t what it used to be
and neither is US Steel. 

When the company  booked 
$3.25 billion, it was  #3. 

When the company  booked 
$17.4 billion, it was #166.

1955 is not 2014.

Time changes things.

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4. General Electric 

With electric toasters
& nuclear power, 
GE has been a mainstay 
in American industry 
and on the F-500. 

The industrial juggernaut 
dropped to # 9 this year. 
Lowest rank ever: #11

Stupidest Moment: Letting
Letterman switch to CBS.

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 5. Esmark

This conglomerate owned 

Max Factor, Avis, Tropicana,
Attitude, Ignorance, Trust,

and  Swift meatpacking.

 

1984: Esmark  acquired 

by Beatrice Foods.

1990: Beatrice was 

bought out by ConAgra. 

1285: Dante loved Beatrice. 

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 6. Chrysler

One of America’s “BIG 3” 
Chrysler was sold to Fiat:
 
...As if the Pacific Ocean 
was sold to Lake Michigan.

Chrysler bought American Motor Co. (1985) and was bought 
by  Daimler-Benz (2007).

Cars is cars.

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7. Armour

Armour’s business  peaked 
before it debuted at #7 
on the F-500 
in 1955. 

Armour found success with 
Dial, a soap made from 
a byproduct  of the meat-
packing process. 

If perfume can be peachy,
soap can be meaty.

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8. Gulf Oil 

Responsible for the first-ever drive-in gas station (1913), 
Gulf pioneered the concept 
of free restrooms.

Gulf merged with Chevron 
in 1984, the largest merger 
in history at the time:

A merger asmeaningful
as Elizabeth Taylor's
first marriage.
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 9. Mobil

Once known as Socony 
(Standard Oil Co. of NY), 
the company changed 
its name to Mobil 
in 1966. 

It merged with Exxon
in 1999 and ranks # 2 
on the 2014 F-500.

Satan fears only
one name: ExxonMobil.

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10. Dupont

Though the 212-year old 

chemical company has 
broadened its scope 
since 1955, it lands at 
# 86 on this year’s list. 

Since early days of  F-500, 
Dupont has developed 
Lycra and Kevlar.

Lycra & Kevlar 
is a good name 
for a reality TV show. 
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