The legal outcome that established the concept of corporate personhood in the U.S. was the Supreme Court case of Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company (1886). This ruling effectively recognized corporations as "persons" under the 14th Amendment, granting them certain legal rights and protections, such as equal protection under the law. While the case itself did not explicitly rule on corporate personhood, the headnote prepared by the court reporter suggested this interpretation. This decision laid the foundation for subsequent cases that expanded corporate rights and greatly influenced the role of corporations in American legal and political life.