Alphabet is now the most valuable company in the World

A company that launched just four months ago has just become the most valuable company in the world. The last time this happened was 120 years ago. Few people noticed then, either.

That first time, in 1889, 42-year-old Thomas Edison found himself with multiple electricity-related companies. He had companies to grow the light bulb, electric sockets, the electric motor, and all sorts of electric appliances. So he created a new holding company, General Electric.

Over the next 100 years, General...