HP

About HP

The story of Hewlett-Packard, or HP, is the foundational story of Silicon Valley. It begins in 1939 when two Stanford engineering graduates, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, started a company in a Palo Alto garage with an initial investment of just $538. A coin toss decided the name: Hewlett-Packard. Their first product was an audio oscillator, an electronic instrument for testing sound equipment. An early, significant order came from Walt Disney Studios, which used eight of the oscillators for the production of the movie *Fantasia*. This initial success set the company on a path of steady growth. HP went public on November 6, 1957. The company became known for its unique management philosophy, the "HP Way," which emphasized respect for employees and innovation. In 1966, HP entered the computer market and, in 1968, introduced a device some consider the first personal computer, the HP 9100A desktop calculator. A major turning point came in 2002 when HP merged with its competitor, Compaq, in a deal that at the time was valued at $25 billion. This acquisition significantly expanded HP's presence in the PC market. In 2015, the original company split into two separate entities: HP Inc., focused on personal computers and printers, and Hewlett Packard Enterprise, which focuses on business and financial services.