What are the most successful business partnerships between 
companies in history?  The definition of "successful partnership" in
this context is a partnership that generated significant financial
rewards for all partners involved over long period of time (years).  A
good answer would include several examples (5 to 10) of partnerships
across the globe.  These partnerships can be recent (i.e. still in
place) or historical ones (partnerships that after achieving success
were dissolved by the partners or morphed into different entities).
The answer should include information about the monetary value that
these partnerships generated, their duration, founding companies and
your view on why these partnerships were so successful.

Hewlett Packard, Thyssen-Krupp, Adidas-Salomon, MattEl, Paul Allen and Bill Gates

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Clifford Chance
any number of other mega law firms