The Dow Jones Industrial Average, an American stock index composed of 30 large companies, has changed its components 59 times since its inception, on May 26, 1896.
Bethlehem Steel, Texaco, Westinghouse, and Venator (then known as Woolworth; name changed to Foot Locker in 2001) were replaced by Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Travelers Group, and Wal-Mart Stores.
Wright Aeronautical merged with the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company to become Curtiss-Wright.
Atlantic Refining, Bethlehem Steel, Chrysler, General Railway Signal, Goodrich, International Nickel, Nash Motors, North American, Postum Incorporated, Radio Corporation of America, Standard Oil (NJ), Texas Gulf Sulphur, Union Carbide, Victor Talking Machine, Westinghouse Electric, and Wright Aeronautical were added.
General Motors, National Lead, Peoples Gas and U.S. Steel (Preferred) were removed.
[7] Distilling & Cattle Feeding changed its name to American Spirits Manufacturing.
The First Dow Jones Industrial Average[8] Only American Sugar carried over from the precursors.