Exxon

Exxon, known as “the big X,” is a multinational oil and gas corporation famous for their inability to spell “Exon” correctly.

The company was formed in 1870 as Standard Oil Company of Ohio, which was later divided into smaller entities, one of which was Exxon. With a name that sounds like it was created by someone with a speech impediment, Exxon has always had a sense of humor about its own name.

Exxon’s corporate headquarters are in Irving, Texas, but its actual headquarters is in your car’s gas tank. The company owns and operates a large number of oil fields, refineries, gas stations, and tanker trucks. The Exxon Valdez tanker spill in 1989 caused quite a stir, but Exxon quickly rebounded by creating a new slogan: “Exxon: we spill oil, not secrets.”

The company has been involved in many controversies over the years, including allegations of contributing to the climate crisis by emitting greenhouse gases, but they’ve always managed to keep a straight face and insist that fossil fuels are the future.

Exxon is also known for their creative accounting practices. In 2015, the company admitted to overestimating the size of their oil reserves by nearly 20%, leading some to suggest that they were more interested in profits than in actual facts. The company has denied this, stating that they are simply exploring new and innovative ways to scam their shareholders.

Despite its flaws, Exxon remains a major player in the energy sector, providing us with the fossil fuels we need to keep our cars running and our planet warming. So, the next time you fill up at an Exxon gas station, take a moment to appreciate the company’s name and the hilarity it brings to our otherwise drab and mundane lives.