Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) (NYSE: BRK.B) has roots dating back to the 19th century, but its modern legacy took shape when Warren Buffett took control in 1965. Under Buffett's leadership, the struggling textile company transformed into a conglomerate spanning industries like insurance, energy, and consumer goods.

Let's take a closer look at how many shares Berkshire Hathaway investors would own today if they had held on to their shares since they started trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

Berkshire Hathaway's stock history

For decades, Berkshire Hathaway's stock was only available through over-the-counter markets . But on Nov. 29, 1988, it listed what are now known as its Class A shares on the New York Stock Exchange. In his shareholder letter that year, Buffett said his main motivation was minimizing investors' transaction costs.

In 1996, the company launched its Class B shares, affectionately dubbed "Baby Bs" by Buffett. The new class was introduced to prevent fund managers from creating mutual-fund-style structures that would divide Berkshire's stock into smaller, more accessible slices.

In 2010, Berkshire Hathaway acquired the railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) in a combination of cash and Berkshire stock, prompting Buffett to initiate a 50-for-1 stock split. As a result, investors who purchased a single Class B share in 1996 would now own 50 shares.

Data source: Berkshire Hathaway. Chart by author.

Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares have never been split, and it's unlikely they ever will be. Buffett has often said the high price is meant to favor investors over traders. He once said, "We want to attract shareholders who are as investment-oriented as we can possibly obtain, with as long-term horizons."

Berkshire's Class A shares continue to demonstrate the benefits of Buffett's investing mentality, with its Class A shares trading near $700,000 per share.

Before you buy stock in Berkshire Hathaway, consider this: