COMPANYHISTORIES

Israel

Companies based in Israel, and the events that shaped them.

13companies1902–1991founding years7still active3no longer operating
§ 01

Israel companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedBank Leumi le-Israel B.M.
1902
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyFord's Model T puts the automobile within reach of the middle class.
1913
TechnologyFord's moving assembly line transforms factory production.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
1916
EconomyPiggly Wiggly opens the first self-service grocery store.
FoundedBank Hapoalim B.M.
1921
1925
EconomyThe Grand Ole Opry begins broadcasting from Nashville.
1927
TechnologyThe Jazz Singer ushers in the era of sound films.
TechnologyLindbergh flies the Atlantic solo, and aviation captures the public.
1928
TechnologyPenicillin is discovered, opening the age of antibiotics.
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression spreads worldwide.
1931
EconomyThe Empire State Building rises in just over a year.
1933
EconomyThe first drive-in movie theater opens in New Jersey.
FoundedStrauss-Elite Group
1934
1937
EconomyThe Golden Gate Bridge opens as the world's longest suspension span.
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
FoundedKoor Industries Ltd.FoundedTeva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
1944
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1946
TechnologyENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
FoundedEl Al Israel Airlines Ltd.
1949
FoundedTaro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
1950
FoundedIsrael Aircraft Industries Ltd.
1953
1955
EconomyMcDonald's franchising begins, remaking fast food.
EconomyDisneyland opens and invents the modern theme park.
1956
TechnologyThe first transatlantic telephone cable opens.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedECI Telecom Ltd.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.
FoundedIsrael Chemicals Ltd.FoundedScitex Corporation Ltd.
1968
FoundedElscint Ltd.
1969
TechnologyARPANET, the internet's precursor, goes live.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
TechnologyThe first US in-vitro fertilization baby is born.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedBlue Square Israel Ltd.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1994
TechnologyE-commerce begins to disrupt retail.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
1999
TechnologyNapster ignites the digital disruption of recorded music.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
TechnologyGPS opens to civilian use, turning location into a utility.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M. →
Renamed · founded 1902 · Israel
Bank Leumi le-Israel B.M., Israel's second-largest bank, has its origins in the modern Zionist movement of the late…
Bank Hapoalim B.M. →
Active · founded 1921 · Israel
Bank Hapoalim B.M.
Strauss-Elite Group →
Active · founded 1934 · Israel
Merging two of Israel's oldest and largest food companies in 2004, the Strauss-Elite Group has become that country's…
Koor Industries Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1944 · Israel
Koor Industries Ltd.
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. →
Active · founded 1944 · Israel
With more than one-third of the nation's drug sales, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Israel
In its 50-year history El Al Israel Airlines Ltd.
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. →
Active · founded 1950 · Israel
Taro Pharmaceutical Industrials Ltd.
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. →
Active · founded 1953 · Israel
Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd.
ECI Telecom Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1961 · Israel
ECI Telecom Ltd.
Israel Chemicals Ltd. →
Renamed · founded 1968 · Israel
Israel Chemicals Ltd.
Scitex Corporation Ltd. →
Active · founded 1968 · Israel
Herzlia, Israel-based Scitex Corporation Ltd.
Elscint Ltd. →
Defunct · founded 1969 · Israel
Haifa-based Elscint Ltd.
Blue Square Israel Ltd. →
Renamed · founded 1991 · Israel
Israeli retail leader Blue Square Israel Ltd.
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