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Everything you need to know about HP(Hewlett Packard)

In the last installment of this brand series, we looked at Samsung. And how it helped to put South Korea on the business map after decades of industry changes, struggles, and growth. This time. We go from Seoul to Palo Alto, California, as we take a look at the American technology giant, Hewlett-Packard.

More commonly known as HP, Hewlett Packard’s history is rich and exciting, full of unknown truths. Today, HP has become a prominent part of our everyday lives, with its technology being the pinnacle of the digital revolution. Tablets, computers, printers, and laptops; HP is strong in its ability to command a full range of products, rather than rely on one best-seller. Read on to find out how they started and how their journey unfolded.

History

The story of how Hewlett Packard started is somewhat of a magical one. Back in 1939, William Hewlett and David Packard, or Bill and Dave as they were known, formed a partnership to become Hewlett Packard. It was in the now famous ‘HP Garage’, that they had their first meeting a couple of years earlier, and in 1939, it became their headquarters. Talk about humble beginnings.

The inventive pair started out designing and building audio oscillators, and believe it or not, their first customer was none other than Walt Disney. Disney planned to use these oscillators to test out sound systems in movie theaters showing his feature film, Fantasia. Fantasia was the first film released in stereophonic sound, and so whether they meant to or not, HP had already created a niche supply and demand.

What do we know about HP?

Hewlett Packard is one of the leading computer and printer manufacturers today, if not the market leader. Their innovative developments and cutting-edge designs go hand in hand with their super-efficient hardware. In 2014, we now know them for tablets, laptops, and hybrid computers. Consistently rising above their competitors, HP always seems to come out on top for both quality of build and aesthetic design; a deadly winning combination.

What HP has managed to do that a lot of other manufacturers haven’t, is to chop up, integrate and combine different elements of PCs, laptops, and tablets. The Slate 21 in the photograph below is a prime example of that; it takes the things we like the most from certain mediums and mixes them up with the best parts of other hardware.

The Slate 21 appears to be a desktop computer, with a 21.5-inch screen, yet it can act and behave like a tablet. With touch screen capabilities, you can ditch the keyboard and mouse. And carry the screen around as a large tablet, or use it as a smart TV to stream films and programs. This sort of all-in-one computer and mobile system hasn’t been matched anywhere else, and it’s what gives HP its reputation as an innovator.

HP Printers

Hewlett Packard is also a big player in the printing industry. Both their inkjet and laserjet machines are state-of-the-art and top of the range. Renowned for their ability to continually suppress their predecessors and knock out the competition. A Hewlett Packard printer is one to rely on for the long term. From classic mono laserjet printers that are strictly for business. To fully multi-functional multimedia systems for all sorts of creative needs; HP has a huge and powerful presence in the printing world.

HP celebrates its 80th birthday this year!

There’s no better time to explore the history of HP, from its earliest inventions to its most modern technological advancements. Take a tech-tastic trip through time in the infographic below.

Infographic Text

Let’s trace the growth of home electronics by exploring the history of HP. Let’s take a trip through history and learn how a small company formed in a garage grew into a tech giant that revolutionized the way we interact with technology.

How It All Began

In the 1930s, American culture was dominated by sound film and radio. These technologies were made possible by electronic signaling. It’s easy to see why young Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard were drawn to study electrical engineering at Stanford University.

• 1934
  • Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard become friends when they bond over a two-week camping trip.
• 1938
  • Bill and Dave work part-time building devices in a Palo Alto garage.
  • With only $538 in the capital, they invent the “HP Model 200A”, an oscillator used to test sound equipment.
  • The Walt Disney Company buys 8 HP oscillators to prepare movie theaters to screen Fantasia.
• 1939
  • Bill and Dave use a coin toss to decide between “Hewlett-Packard” or “Packard-Hewlett.”

The elementary Days

Bill and Dave formalize their company in the 1940s. They lay the foundations for HP’s future success and pioneered business innovations that many tech companies would later adopt.

• 1940
  • HP moves into rented facilities in Palo Alto.
• 1942
  • HP establishes a pioneering health care plan for its employees.
  • HP utilizes an open floor plan in their office. It provides versatility, but unexpectedly promotes collaboration and creativity. Nowadays, most tech companies utilize open floor plans.
• 1947
  • The business incorporates on August 18.

The Electronics Industry Expands

In the 1950s, American culture vibrantly expands with television, rock and roll, and car culture. The tech industry also expands. Due to HP’s success, a variety of tech companies establish themselves in Santa Clara County.

• 1951
  • HP invents the 524A high-speed frequency counter. These kinds of signal measuring products will earn billions for HP.
• 1957
  • HP goes public, with shares selling for $16.
  • The company constructs its first HP-owned building in Stanford Research Park. It’s designed to boost employee comfort and creativity.

New Horizons

America sets a new course in the 1960s. In society, civil rights leaders march toward a brighter future. In science, America reaches for the stars and lands on the moon. HP makes its presence known across borders.

• 1959
  • HP goes global and establishes facilities in Switzerland and Germany.
• 1963
  • Space exploration is in full swing, and HP invents a frequency synthesizer that’s used aboard vehicles headed for deep space.
• 1964
  • During HP’s 25th year, the company invents the atomic clock. Capable of coordinating an international time to within a millionth of a second, it’s the most accurate clock ever invented.
• 1966
  • HP Laboratories opens. HP Labs researches new technology. The same year it opens, HP Labs invents light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

The Computer Age Begins

The first personal computers come about in the late 1960s and 1970s. HP is at the forefront.

• 1968
  • HP develops its first “personal computer,” a scientific calculator called the HP 9100A. Ads for the calculator coin the term, “personal computer.”
• 1974
  • HP introduces the world’s first programmable pocket calculator.
• 1977
  • Journalists coin the term “Silicon Valley” to describe the cluster of thriving tech companies in Santa Clara County.

HP Makes Technology Accessible

The first computers and printers are too expensive for the average consumer. HP aims to change all that.

• 1980
  • HP produces its first PC, the HP-85. It has intuitive peripherals and can even communicate with other computers.
• 1983
  • The HP-150 Touchscreen PC is introduced, which allows users to navigate the interface by touching the screen.
• 1984
  • The first HP LaserJet is released and quickly becomes the world’s most popular laser printer.
• 1991
  • HP creates an affordable color printer with the HP DeskJet 500C.
• 1994
  • HP builds the first all-in-one office device, the HP OfficeJet. It can print, fax, and copy.

HP LaserJet, DeskJet, and OfficeJet printers are still popular today!

A New Age

In 1996, flags fly at half-staff across Silicon Valley to mourn the passing of Dave Packard. Bill Hewlett passes away in 2001 and receives a similar tribute. Although Bill and Dave are gone, HP® continues to innovate as the internet comes of age.

• 2001
  • Intel and HP team up to develop Itanium architecture, which advances computers from 32 to 64 bits.
• 2004
  • An image-compression algorithm developed by HP Labs is used by NASA to create high-resolution images of Mars transmitted by NASA’s Spirit rover.
• 2007
  • HP achieves its goal of recycling 1 billion pounds of hardware.
  • The original HP garage in Palo Alto is listed in the National Register of Historic Places as “The Birthplace of Silicon Valley.”
• 2010
  • HP introduces the HP Photosmart Premium with TouchSmart Web. It’s the world’s first web-connected printer.
• 2016
  • The HP Jet Fusion debuts, HP’s first 3D printer.
• 2018
  • HP debuts a sophisticated 3D metal printer, the HP Metal Jet.

Conclusion

Therefore in this article, we talked about HP and its features and history and every necessary thing about it and we hope you enjoy reading it.