Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles.
One app.

Get all your news in one place.

100's of premium titles. One news app.

Fortune

Alyson Shontell, Fortune Editors

The 70th edition of the Fortune 500 shows how the biggest businesses stay successful for decades

Fortune Satya Nadella Microsoft United States General Motors Exxon Mobil Apple Jeremy Kahn Justin Sullivan SSPL

(Credit: Art Streiber for Fortune)

Almost 70 years ago, we published the first-ever Fortune 500 ranking of America’s largest corporations by revenue.

The business world looked a lot different then. America was in the midst of a manufacturing boom. Half of the world’s industrial output was produced by the U.S. The inaugural Fortune 500 recognized companies that contributed the most—“industrials” like oil producers, steelmakers, car companies, and meatpackers.

Sign up to read this article

Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.

Already a member? Sign in here

Top stories on inkl right now

Suspect in Kyiv jail reveals who proposed bombing of oligarch in Monaco

Suspect in Kyiv jail reveals who proposed bombing of oligarch in Monaco

Former Ukrainian security service officer was accused of killing woman who allegedly planted bomb

The Independent UK

Two Hurricanes, Two Coasts: Hurricane Isaias could strengthen to Cat 3 as category 4 Simon threatens Pacific Coast

Two Hurricanes, Two Coasts: Hurricane Isaias could strengthen to Cat 3 as category 4 Simon threatens Pacific Coast

Hurricane Isaias is set to strengthen into a Category 3 storm just before it makes landfall in either Florida, Mississippi, or Alabama. The National Hurricane Center has issued storm surge warnings and alerts for hurricane conditions in impacted regions. In a similar vein, Hurricane Simon is on track to become…

The Economic Times

Dallas County Records First West Nile Death of 2026 as Officials Warn Cooler Weather Has Not Ended Threat

Dallas County Records First West Nile Death of 2026 as Officials Warn Cooler Weather Has Not Ended Threat

A Dallas County man in his 60s has died of West Nile virus, the county's first death of 2026. Officials urge residents to keep using repellent.

Pentagon plan to livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter prompts fierce political backlash – US politics live

Pentagon plan to livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter prompts fierce political backlash – US politics live

Lawmakers branded the move as ‘disturbing’ and compared it to the actions of some terror groups and oppressive governments

The Guardian - UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Isaias strengthens to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 season

Isaias strengthens to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 season

Storm expected to make landfall on US’s northern Gulf coast with risk of flash floods and isolated river flooding

The Guardian - UK

Christa Pike’s botched execution is a reminder of the horror of the death penalty

Christa Pike’s botched execution is a reminder of the horror of the death penalty

Lethal injection was a way for us to deny the reality of capital punishment. Pike’s experience shows us what it is

The Guardian - US

Related Stories

Top stories on inkl right now

Suspect in Kyiv jail reveals who proposed bombing of oligarch in Monaco

Suspect in Kyiv jail reveals who proposed bombing of oligarch in Monaco

Former Ukrainian security service officer was accused of killing woman who allegedly planted bomb

The Independent UK

Two Hurricanes, Two Coasts: Hurricane Isaias could strengthen to Cat 3 as category 4 Simon threatens Pacific Coast

Two Hurricanes, Two Coasts: Hurricane Isaias could strengthen to Cat 3 as category 4 Simon threatens Pacific Coast

Hurricane Isaias is set to strengthen into a Category 3 storm just before it makes landfall in either Florida, Mississippi, or Alabama. The National Hurricane Center has issued storm surge warnings and alerts for hurricane conditions in impacted regions. In a similar vein, Hurricane Simon is on track to become…

The Economic Times

Dallas County Records First West Nile Death of 2026 as Officials Warn Cooler Weather Has Not Ended Threat

Dallas County Records First West Nile Death of 2026 as Officials Warn Cooler Weather Has Not Ended Threat

A Dallas County man in his 60s has died of West Nile virus, the county's first death of 2026. Officials urge residents to keep using repellent.

Pentagon plan to livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter prompts fierce political backlash – US politics live

Pentagon plan to livestream execution of Fort Hood shooter prompts fierce political backlash – US politics live

Lawmakers branded the move as ‘disturbing’ and compared it to the actions of some terror groups and oppressive governments

The Guardian - UK

One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites

Already a member? Sign in here

Isaias strengthens to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 season

Isaias strengthens to become first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 season

Storm expected to make landfall on US’s northern Gulf coast with risk of flash floods and isolated river flooding

The Guardian - UK

Christa Pike’s botched execution is a reminder of the horror of the death penalty

Christa Pike’s botched execution is a reminder of the horror of the death penalty

Lethal injection was a way for us to deny the reality of capital punishment. Pike’s experience shows us what it is

The Guardian - US

Our Picks

Travis Barker shares Kourtney Kardashian’s bold first move: ‘Something crazy’

Couple were friends for 15 years before becoming a couple around 2020

The Independent UK

‘My dog’s built her own fashion community’: how canine companions stole the fashion week spotlight

Our four-legged friends are turning heads from Louis Vuitton to Schiaparelli – but what does their presence in the most exclusive of spaces say about the industry’s changing attitudes?

The Guardian - UK

Mystery of why big dogs age faster than small ones finally solved

Researchers analyzed the health of more than 860 dogs

The Independent UK

I'm Italian American, but I Don't Celebrate Columbus Day.

The holiday brings out many of the worst excesses of identity politics.

WWE Star Stephanie Vaquer Sets Social Media Ablaze With Nude Photo Wearing Nothing but Her Championship Belt

WWE Women's World Champion Stephanie Vaquer has attracted widespread attention after sharing a revealing photograph featuring her title, days before defending it against Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch.

International Business Times UK

‘Striking and personal’ self-portrait by David Bowie up for auction

Sotheby’s said the self-portrait created by the musician in 1996 will go on sale next week.

Evening Standard

Fourteen days free

Download the app

One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.

Download on the AppStore

Get it on Google Play