In 1833 Marcus Samuel opened a small shop in London, selling sea shells to Victorian natural history enthusiasts. It soon became a thriving import-export business.

On a visit to the Caspian Sea coast, Marcus’s son recognised a huge opportunity to export oil for lamps and cooking to the Far East and commissioned the first special oil tanker in 1892, and subsequently delivered 4,000 tonnes of Russian kerosene to Singapore and Bangkok.

Meanwhile, the company Royal Dutch had been formed in the Netherlands to develop oil fields in Asia and by 1896 it had its own tanker fleet to compete with the British.

In time, it became obvious that the competing Dutch and British companies would do better working together and in 1907, the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of companies was created to incorporate their operations world-wide.

Throughout the early twentieth century, the Group expanded with acquisitions in Europe, Africa and the Americas.

These were exciting times for the oil industry, as the mass production of cars had opened up a vast new market, but the First World War years saw many of Shell’s operations closed down or confiscated; but others were added or expanded, particularly in North America.

In 1919, Alcock and Brown made the first non-stop flight across the Atlantic — powered by Shell fuel and Shell Aviation Services was established that same year.

The 1920s and 1930s were expansion years, with Shell businesses in new regions and new industry sectors and the company’s first foray into chemicals began in 1929.

During the Second World War, Shell once again lost businesses, tankers and properties, but supported the Allied Governments with fuel supplies and chemical production.

And following the Second World War, an enormous effort began to replace and expand Shell’s facilities for production, transport and refining to meet the new pressures on demand.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Shell’s oil output and sales increased dramatically, to the point where Shell supplied almost one-seventh of the world’s oil products.

This period was also important for the development of natural gas as an alternative source of energy.

In the 1970s, Shell made major oil & gas discoveries in the North Sea, just off the coast of Scotland.

At the same time, an economic recession combined with a steep rise in the price of crude oil had a serious impact on the oil business.

People turned to natural gas and by the end of the decade, gas accounted for about 15 percent of Europe’s energy consumption, with Shell and its partners supplying about half.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) — which Shell helped to pioneer — also performed well. Meanwhile, Shell was developing its long term interests in coal and metals.

The 1980s saw much change as Shell companies installed advanced technology, launched new products and services, and explored solutions to environmental concerns. It also started selling unleaded petrol, and subsequently gained a world-wide leadership position.

With the 1990s came lower oil prices, and a concentration on Shell’s core businesses — mainly oil, gas and chemicals.

By mid-decade, Shell had started to look ahead to the new millennium and what would be required of energy companies. This included a specific focus on a commitment to sustainable development throughout the Shell business.

Fundamental changes have occurred and continue to be made in the Shell Group to ensure that it retains its competitive advantage.

These changes include the unification, in July 2005, of the parent companies of Royal Dutch and Shell Transport under a single parent company, Royal Dutch Shell.

Shell has been a successful energy company for over 100 years and these latest changes will help to ensure that it carries on being a successful energy company well into the future.