Hewlett-Packard

Hewlett-Packard, commonly known as HP, was an American multinational technology company founded by electrical engineers Bill Hewlett and David Packard in Palo Alto, California, in 1939. It became one of the most influential companies in Silicon Valley and built a broad portfolio spanning electronic test equipment, scientific instruments, calculators, computers, servers, storage, networking, software, consulting, personal computers, and printers. The company began in a rented one-car garage during the Great Depression. Its first major commercial success was the HP 200A precision audio oscillator, an inexpensive and technically innovative instrument that used a small light bulb to stabilize signal amplitude. Walt Disney Studios purchased HP oscillators for production work on Fantasia, giving the young company an important early customer and helping establish its reputation for practical engineering. Hewlett-Packard formally incorporated in 1947 and went public in 1957. For much of its early history, HP emphasized measurement and instrumentation. It expanded into oscilloscopes, voltmeters, signal generators, frequency counters, spectrum analyzers, calculators, and laboratory systems, while developing a distinctive management culture known as the HP Way. That culture stressed trust, technical competence, decentralized decision-making, employee development, and close relationships with customers. HP’s engineering heritage also supported an early move into computing. The company introduced minicomputers, technical desktop systems, business computers, terminals, and servers, and later became a major supplier of personal computers. HP’s calculator business produced several landmark products, including the HP-35, widely recognized as the first handheld scientific electronic calculator, and the programmable HP-65. Its computer activities included the HP 2100 series, HP 3000 business systems, HP 9800 technical computers, and later workstation and PC families. In the 1980s, the company entered desktop printing with inkjet and LaserJet products. Printing, imaging, and consumables eventually became central to the company’s identity, alongside consumer and commercial PCs. The company expanded through acquisitions and divestitures. It spun off its test-and-measurement and analytical-instrument operations as Agilent Technologies in 1999, merged with Compaq in 2002, acquired Electronic Data Systems in 2008, and bought several technology businesses in 2010, including 3Com, Palm, and 3PAR. The Autonomy acquisition in 2011 led to a major accounting dispute and contributed to management and investor turmoil. HP also announced plans to separate its PC and printer operations from its enterprise products and services. On November 1, 2015, the separation was completed. The personal-computer and printer business became HP Inc., retaining the historical HPQ ticker and the predecessor company’s stock-market history. The enterprise technology business became Hewlett Packard Enterprise, trading as HPE. Accordingly, references to HP after the split generally concern HP Inc., while the historical Hewlett-Packard company encompassed both businesses. The surviving HP brand remains strongly associated with laptops, desktops, workstations, monitors, printers, supplies, managed print, and selected digital manufacturing and collaboration solutions.

Hewlett-Packard began when Bill Hewlett and David Packard, Stanford-trained electrical engineers, established a business in Palo Alto in 1939. Their mentor, Stanford professor Frederick Terman, encouraged the pair to commercialize practical electronics. They formalized the partnership after deciding the order of their names by a coin toss. The first important product was the HP 200A audio oscillator, whose innovative amplitude-stabilization circuit allowed it to be sold at a lower price than competing instruments. Walt Disney Studios became an early customer, using HP oscillators during work on Fantasia. During the 1940s, HP broadened its measurement portfolio and supported wartime electronics work. It built instruments including signal generators, distortion analyzers, wave analyzers, and vacuum-tube voltmeters. The company incorporated in 1947 and listed publicly in 1957. International expansion followed, including manufacturing and marketing operations in Europe and Japan. HP developed a reputation for durable, usable instruments and for a management philosophy later called the HP Way. In the 1960s and 1970s, HP expanded from instruments into semiconductors, calculators, terminals, and computers. The HP 2100 and HP 1000 families served technical and industrial users, while the HP 3000 addressed business computing. The HP 9100A, introduced in 1968, was an influential programmable desktop machine, although HP marketed it as a calculator. Scientific and programmable calculators, particularly the HP-35 and HP-65, made the company prominent among engineers and students. HP also developed the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus, which became an important standard for connecting laboratory instruments. The company entered desktop printing in the 1980s with inkjet and laser products. LaserJet became one of the best-known printer families in the industry, while later OfficeJet and multifunction products combined printing, scanning, copying, and faxing. HP also expanded its personal-computer business, eventually serving consumers as well as universities, researchers, and companies. The HP Pavilion line helped establish a stronger presence in home computing during the 1990s. Corporate restructuring accelerated from the late 1990s onward. HP separated its test-and-measurement and analytical-instrument operations into Agilent Technologies in 1999. It acquired Compaq in 2002, a move that enlarged its PC and enterprise hardware businesses but was controversial internally and externally. Later acquisitions included EDS, 3Com, Palm, and 3PAR. The 2008 EDS combination strengthened services, while the 2010 acquisitions expanded networking, mobile software and hardware, and storage. HP became the world’s leading PC manufacturer for a period beginning in 2007, but the business faced falling PC demand, intense competition, and rapid changes in mobile computing. The Autonomy purchase in 2011 was followed by HP’s 2012 announcement of a large impairment and allegations concerning Autonomy’s accounting before the acquisition. The episode damaged confidence and intensified pressure to simplify the company. After several leadership changes and a strategic review, HP announced a separation into two independent companies. The separation took effect on November 1, 2015. HP Inc. retained the personal-computer and printing businesses, the HP brand, the HPQ ticker, and the predecessor company’s market history. Hewlett Packard Enterprise received the enterprise servers, storage, networking, technology services, and related operations. Modern HP Inc. therefore represents the consumer and commercial devices and printing successor to historical Hewlett-Packard, rather than the entire pre-2015 enterprise portfolio.

1. 2015Corporate separation

   The historical Hewlett-Packard company separated into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

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2. 2011Autonomy acquisition

   HP acquired Autonomy as part of an effort to expand its enterprise-software portfolio.

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3. 2008EDS acquisition

   HP acquired Electronic Data Systems to strengthen technology services and consulting.

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4. 2002Compaq merger completed

   HP completed its merger with Compaq, expanding its PC, server, and services businesses.

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5. 1999Agilent Technologies separation

   HP spun off its electronic test, measurement, and analytical-instrument operations as Agilent Technologies.

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6. 1984Inkjet and LaserJet desktop printing

   HP introduced major desktop inkjet and laser-printer products, establishing printing as a core business.

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7. 1972HP-35 handheld scientific calculator

   HP introduced the HP-35, widely regarded as the first handheld scientific electronic calculator.

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8. 1968HP 9100A introduced

   HP introduced an influential programmable desktop computing machine marketed as a calculator.

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9. 1957Public listing

   Hewlett-Packard became a publicly traded company.

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10. 1940Disney becomes an early major customer

    Walt Disney Studios purchased HP audio oscillators for production work connected with Fantasia.

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11. 1939Hewlett-Packard is founded

    Bill Hewlett and David Packard formalized their Palo Alto electronics partnership and established Hewlett-Packard Company.

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A global provider of personal-computing, printing, imaging, digital-manufacturing, and workplace technology solutions serving consumers, small businesses, enterprises, education, and public-sector customers.

• HP personal computersPersonal computing

  HP’s computer portfolio has included consumer notebooks and desktops, commercial PCs, workstations, and gaming-oriented systems. The range serves home users, students, small businesses, enterprises, and professional creators. Major families have included Pavilion, Envy, Spectre, EliteBook, ProBook, Z workstations, and Omen gaming systems. Following the 2015 separation, personal computers remained part of HP Inc., while historical enterprise servers and related infrastructure moved to Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

• HP LaserJetPrinting1984

  LaserJet is HP’s long-running laser-printer family for home, office, workgroup, and enterprise use. Products have ranged from compact monochrome printers to color multifunction systems with scanning, copying, network management, and security features. The line helped make laser printing accessible in offices and became one of HP’s most recognizable product franchises.

• HP OfficeJetPrinting and imaging

  OfficeJet is a family of inkjet printers and multifunction devices aimed primarily at home offices, small businesses, and general office users. Depending on the model, the range combines printing, scanning, copying, and faxing, with emphasis on color documents, wireless connectivity, and recurring ink supplies.

• HP PavilionConsumer personal computing1995

  Pavilion is a consumer PC brand introduced as HP expanded more directly into home and home-office computing. It has included desktop and notebook computers positioned below premium families such as Spectre and Envy, with configurations for everyday productivity, education, entertainment, and general household use.

• HP SpectrePremium personal computing

  Spectre is HP’s premium consumer notebook and convertible family. It emphasizes industrial design, thin form factors, premium materials, high-resolution displays, and features for mobile productivity. The line competes in the upper tier of the consumer PC market and complements HP’s broader Pavilion and Envy ranges.

• HP DesignJetLarge-format printing

  DesignJet is HP’s large-format printer family for technical drawings, architecture, engineering, construction, geographic information, photography, and graphics production. These systems are designed for wide media and accurate color or line output, serving professional users rather than ordinary desktop-printing customers.

• HP IndigoDigital printing

  Indigo is HP’s digital press business for commercial and industrial print environments. Indigo systems support short runs, variable data, packaging, labels, publishing, and high-quality color production. The business reflects HP’s expansion beyond office printers into professional digital production workflows.

• HP calculatorsCalculators1972

  HP’s historic calculator portfolio included scientific, financial, programmable, and graphing models. Products such as the HP-35 and HP-65 established the company’s reputation among engineers, scientists, students, and business professionals. Calculator development was an important bridge between HP’s instrumentation heritage and later computing activities.

• 2015Separate HP into two companiesStrategy

  Different market dynamics, capital needs, and operating models made the company’s PC-and-printing and enterprise businesses increasingly difficult to manage as one corporation.

  What changed. HP separated its personal-computer and printing operations into HP Inc. and its enterprise products and services into Hewlett Packard Enterprise.

  Aftermath. HP Inc. retained the HPQ ticker and consumer and commercial device businesses, while HPE became an independent enterprise-technology company.

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• 2011Acquire AutonomyM&A

  HP wanted to expand beyond hardware into enterprise software and information-management technologies.

  What changed. HP acquired Autonomy Corporation.

  Aftermath. The acquisition was followed by HP’s impairment announcement and accounting allegations, becoming a major factor in the company’s strategic and leadership turmoil.

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• 2002Merge with CompaqM&A

  HP pursued scale in personal computers, servers, storage, and technology services amid competition from IBM, Dell, and other large technology vendors.

  What changed. HP completed its merger with Compaq.

  Aftermath. The combined company became a larger PC and enterprise-hardware supplier, although the transaction remained controversial and integration was demanding.

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• 1999Separate test-and-measurement operationsStrategy

  HP sought to sharpen its focus on computing, printing, and related technology businesses while separating its established instrumentation activities.

  What changed. The electronic test, measurement, and analytical-instrument businesses were spun off as Agilent Technologies.

  Aftermath. The move created an independent instrumentation company and ultimately separated a major part of HP’s original industrial identity from its remaining businesses.

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• 2012Autonomy accounting disputeControversy

  After acquiring Autonomy, HP announced a substantial impairment and alleged that accounting irregularities had affected the company’s reported financial condition before the transaction. Former Autonomy executives disputed HP’s claims. The episode resulted in prolonged civil litigation and regulatory attention in the United States and United Kingdom.

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• 1980Accusations concerning operations in apartheid-era South AfricaControversy

  Activists supporting divestment from South Africa criticized HP’s operations and technology sales in the country, alleging that the company’s activities helped automate or support apartheid-era administration.

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• 2025HP announces acquisition of Humane AI assets

  HP announced plans to acquire selected Humane artificial-intelligence assets, intellectual property, and engineering resources after Humane discontinued its AI Pin.

  M&AProduct launch
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• 2024HP announces Omni consumer-computing brand

  HP announced a new Omni naming architecture for much of its consumer PC range, including OmniBook, OmniDesk, and OmniStudio products with AI-oriented capabilities.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2024HP becomes Ferrari Formula 1 title partner

  HP announced a multi-year title-sponsorship agreement with Ferrari covering Formula 1 and related racing programs.

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• 2022HP acquires Poly

  HP acquired Poly, a provider of communications hardware and software, to expand its hybrid-work and collaboration portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2021HP acquires HyperX gaming peripherals business

  HP announced and completed the purchase of Kingston's HyperX gaming peripherals business, excluding HyperX memory and storage products.

  M&A
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• 2020Xerox withdraws its pursuit of HP

  Xerox ended its attempt to acquire HP, citing the market disruption and uncertainty associated with the global health crisis.

  M&A
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• 2019HP and Xerox pursue a contested combination

  Xerox made unsolicited proposals to acquire HP. HP rejected the offers, resisted Xerox's shareholder campaign, and later adopted a shareholder-rights plan.

  M&ALawsuit
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• 2017HP acquires Samsung Electronics' printer business

  HP completed the acquisition of Samsung's printer division, strengthening its office-printing portfolio.

  M&A
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• 2016HP launches Omen gaming brand

  HP introduced Omen-branded gaming laptops, desktops, monitors, and accessories, reviving trademarks associated with VoodooPC.

  Product launch
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• 2015HP completes separation into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise

  The historical company separated its personal-computing and printing operations from its enterprise technology operations.

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• 2015HP Inc. created through the separation of Hewlett-Packard

  Hewlett-Packard was renamed HP Inc. and transferred its personal-systems and printing businesses to the new company, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise became a separate public company.

  M&AOther
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• 2014HP announces planned company separation

  HP announced that it would create separate companies for enterprise technology and personal systems and printing.

  Leadership change
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• 2011HP announces Autonomy acquisition

  HP agreed to acquire British software company Autonomy in a major enterprise-software transaction.

  M&A
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• 2002HP merges with Compaq

  The merger combined HP with Compaq and significantly expanded HP’s personal-computer, server, and services operations.

  M&A
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1. Hewlett-Packard
2. HP Inc.
3. Hewlett Packard Enterprise
4. Autonomy Corporation
5. HP-35
6. Hewlett-Packard 9100A
7. Agilent Technologies separation
8. Compaq merger completed
9. EDS acquisition
10. 惠普成为法拉利一级方程式冠名合作伙伴