The corporate entities that would become Exxon and Mobil began the 20th century as components of one company. At the end of the century, they came together as a single premier organization. For most of the years in between, they blazed separate trails as independent, competing enterprises. Each company placed a singular imprint on the energy industry and on a dynamic era of world history.
In 1998, Exxon and Mobil signed a definitive agreement to merge and form a new company called Exxon Mobil Corporation. "This merger will enhance our ability to be an effective global competitor in a volatile world economy and in an industry that is more and more competitive," said Lee Raymond and Lou Noto, chairmen and chief executive officers of Exxon and Mobil, respectively. After shareholder and regulatory approvals, the merger was completed November 30, 1999.

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