Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard (HP), the second largest computer company in the United States, was founded in 1939 by Bill Hewlett and David Packard. They were both graduates from Stanford University in 1934. The company originated from humble beginnings in a garage while they were still fellows at Stanford. The first product HP produced was a precision audio oscillator—used as a small night-light bulb to regulate a temperature dependent resistor in a critical portion of the circuit. The invention was one of many cutting edge designs that became the hallmark of excellence for HP. These types of products led to the firm being known as an innovator in developing precision instruments. HP over the next 50 years would develop many more breakthrough products that eventually provided it with ...