Exxon, once known as Esso, is an American multinational oil and gas corporation. It was founded in 1870 by John D. Rockefeller and is now one of the largest publicly traded companies in the world. Exxon is a major player in the energy industry, producing and distributing oil and gas products to customers around the globe. The company also has a large presence in the chemical industry, producing and marketing a variety of petrochemicals.