Spain was the world’s major superpower from about 1500 to 1588. England was the world’s major superpower from 1588 to about 1795. France was the world’s major superpower from about 1795 to 1815. England was the world’s major superpower from 1815 to 1914.
Of course, you knew all that.
From a future perspective, the United States will be seen to have been the world’s major superpower from 1898 to about when: 1991? 2000? 2020?
What nation will be the world’s next major superpower? Germany? Russia? China? Japan? United States will continue onward & upward?
Oh, yes, about industry leading corporations: IBM was the world’s major computer company from 1957 to about 1990. GM was the world’s major vehicle manufacturer from 1940 to about 2006.