Introduction
Exxon Mobil (XOM) traces its roots to the Standard Oil Trust which dominated the petroleum industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its dominance in that era was so profound that ultimately it was broken up into seven separate companies, some of whom became known as the "Seven Sisters," so named for their mid-twentieth century dominance.
There has probably not been such a fabulous accumulation of wealth until the advent of the Internet companies. Some of which now face the same reactionary tide that Standard Oil faced a hundred years ago. The perception is they are just too powerful. Time will tell if the Internet titans ultimately meet Standard's fate. One thing only is certain, as with Standard, the owners will get richer still, as did John D. Rockefeller, the majority owner of the Standard Oil Trust.
