David Packard and Bill Hewlett founded Hewlett-Packard (HP) in a Palo Alto garage, which later became known as the birthplace of Silicon Valley. Their partnership, formed on the toss of a coin, led to the creation of innovative products like the Model 200A audio oscillator, HP's first product. HP's growth was self-funded, avoiding long-term debt, and emphasized profit, customer satisfaction, employee welfare, and technological contribution. The company culture, known as the HP Way, fostered trust, open communication, and decentralized management. HP's commitment to societal responsibility and continuous innovation in technology has been a cornerstone of its success and expansion into a global corporation.
David Packard journeyed from Pueblo, Colorado to Stanford University to delve into electrical engineering, driven by his fascination with radio. There, he struck a friendship with fellow freshman Bill Hewlett. Despite his dyslexia, Hewlett, whose father had been a professor at Stanford's Medical School, excelled in science and graduated with honors. The duo, along with friends Ed Porter and Barney Oliver, contemplated a business venture in radio during their senior year, encouraged by Professor Terman, who suggested they first gain practical experience. Following graduation, Packard honed his skills at General Electric, while Hewlett advanced his education with a Master's Degree from MIT and then worked for Jensen Speaker. Their shared vision of starting a company kept their ambitions aligned, leading to a pivotal meeting in California in August 1937. They planned to focus on high-frequency receivers, medical equipment, and the burgeoning field of television, with Terman's support securing them jobs in California. Renting a house with a garage on Addison Avenue in Palo Alto, the garage became their workshop and later, the cradle of Silicon Valley. Their complementary skills in circuit technology and manufacturing processes fueled their early endeavors. By 1939, their partnership was formalized as Hewlett-Packard, the company name decided by a coin toss won by Hewlett, marking the inception of a historic collaboration.
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