We are a global group of energy and petrochemicals companies with around 87,000 employees in more than 70 countries and territories. Our innovative approach ensures we are ready to help tackle the challenges of the new energy future. Beginning: In 1833 shopkeeper Marcus Samuel decided to expand his London business. He sold antiques, but now added oriental shells. He aimed to capitalise on a fashion for using them in interior design. His instinct was right - such was the demand that Samuel quickly began importing shells from the Far East, laying the foundations for his import/export business. 20 Century: During World War I Shell became the main fuel supplier of the British Expeditionary Force and profited from increased after-war motor car use. By the end of the 1920 Shell was the world’s leading oil company and founded Shell Chemicals. The 1930 depression forced Shell to reduce its staff and World War II led to the destruction of a lot of its properties. Post War Expansion: Shell's post-war years were marked by reconstruction and an ambitious expansion programme. Scientific advances and a growing number of cars in the US led to an exploding oil demand. Shell contributed to the invention of the jet engine and in 1950 formed a partnership with Ferrari. In the late 1950 the Group’s structure was reorganised. 1960 to the 1980: The 1960 strengthened Shell’s presence in the Middle East. The Dutch Groningen gas field and North Sea gas were discovered and Shell Chemicals entered a golden period for research. The 1973 oil crisis brought cheap energy to an end and Shell adopted a policy of diversification. In 1976 Shell produced its General Business Principles. 1980 to the new millennium: In the 1980, Shell grew through acquisition and started some of its challenging offshore exploration projects. During the 1990 Shell founded its LNG business and at the beginning of the millennium it started moving into new growth areas in the East. In 2005, Royal Dutch and Shell Transport were unified under Royal Dutch Shell plc.