Hp History

Hewlett-Packard is one of the largest corporations in the world. Hewlett Packard is divided into three general segments: imaging and printing systems, computing systems, and information technology services. After acquiring Compaq Computer Company, HP is currently the world's largest computer company. HP is a growth oriented corporation that strives to stay ahead in all of its market segments.

History:

HP was started by two electrical engineers who graduated from Stanford University in 1934. During a two-week camping trip, following graduation, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard became close friends. Bill continued his education, taking graduate courses at MIT while Dave worked at General Electric. In 1938 the two moved next door to one another in Palo Alto, California. They began working in a garage part-time developing electronic devices. They began with $538 and a used Sears drill press. Their first invention was a device called a resistance-capacitance oscillator. This device tested sound equipment for negative feedback. This device paved the way for the development of many other electronic devices that could be used to analyze sound equipment. In 1939 they formalized the company and earned revenue of $5369. HP's product line expanded slowly, and their equipment was met with excellent acceptance by engineers and scientists.

The start of World War 2 created a huge demand for electronics by the government. HP was forced to move out of the garage and build their first building. During these years several characteristics of the HP corporate culture were adopted. First Dave Packard began his management style coined "management by walking around."