When did people begin to think that corporations of any kind could be their friends? Did they even? Or is this just another tantrum by yet another man-baby? I d

When did people begin to think that corporations of any kind could be their friends? Did they even? Or is this just another tantrum by yet another man-baby? I don’t want to be rude here, just wondering. Also: given the point is valid, isn’t this largely preaching to the choir? Or is this a predominantly American thing? I’m genuinely interested.