COMPANYHISTORIES

Saudi Arabia

Companies based in Saudi Arabia, and the events that shaped them.

4companies1945–1988founding years4still active0no longer operating
§ 01

Saudi Arabia companies over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedSaudi Arabian Airlines
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long global expansion begins.
1946
TechnologyENIAC, the first general-purpose electronic computer, is unveiled.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented.
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.
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
EconomyThe first Walmart opens, built on everyday low prices.
FoundedDallah Albaraka Group
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.
FoundedSaudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC)
1976
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.
FoundedSaudi Arabian Oil Company
1988
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
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

Saudi Arabian Airlines →
Active · founded 1945 · Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) is the national airline of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the largest airline in the…
Dallah Albaraka Group →
Active · founded 1969 · Saudi Arabia
The Dallah Albaraka Group is one of the leading, privately held conglomerates in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) →
Active · founded 1976 · Saudi Arabia
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, or SABIC, is one of the world's leading petrochemicals companies.
Saudi Arabian Oil Company →
Active · founded 1988 · Saudi Arabia
With production capacity of about ten million barrels of crude oil per day, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Oil Company…
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