FedEx began as Federal Express in 1971, when Frederick W. Smith founded the company Little Rock, AR. The company name was shortened to FedEx in 1994, and today FedEx offers a global shipping network, package and freight services, and business center services. FedEx became a public company in 1978 and trades on the NYSE as FDX. FedEx's Global Air Hub and corporate headquarters are in Memphis, TN.