HP

HP (Hewlett-Packard) was founded by two former classmates from Stanford University, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, in 1939. Its first product was an electronic oscillator designed for electrical engineers working in the music industry.

One of HP's first customers was Walt Disney

These two promising youngsters started the business out of a humble garage in Palo Alto, California. One of HP's first customers was Walt Disney Studios, which at that time ordered eight oscillators to develop and test an innovative sound system for the movie Fantasia.

Packard-Hewlett or Hewlett-Packard?

After deciding to name the company after themselves, Messrs Hewlett and Packard couldn't decide on the order in which their names should appear, so they left it to a coin toss. David Packard won, but opted to name the company Hewlett-Packard.

Early years

At first, the company did not have a specific focus and produced a range of electronic products for industrial and agricultural use. Over time, it started to focus primarily on high-quality electronic equipment for testing and measurement. Until the 1990s they developed signal generators, voltmeters, oscilloscopes, calculators and other testing devices.

Expansion into Europe and the first mini computer

In 1957, HP expanded into Germany and later established its European headquarters in Geneva. In 1960 it entered the Japanese market. In 1966 it launched its first minicomputer. In 1970, Wired magazine named HP as the first manufacturer to mass-produce personal computers, although HP called them desktop calculators to differentiate themselves from the popular computer firm IBM.

The first handheld calculator

In the eighties, HP introduced the first handheld scientific electronic calculator, or the first handheld computer. In 1984, HP also introduced inkjet and laser printers, and shortly after it continued with the development of scanners and multifunction devices.

A national monument

In 1987, the garage in Palo Alto where Hewlett and Packard started their business was designated as a California state historical monument.

Today, HP is among the world leaders in the development of computers, laptops and electronics. Its portfolio of products includes affordable solutions for individual customers and complete IT solutions for companies and businesses.