Hewlett-Packard (HP)

A Legacy of Innovation in Test & Measurement

Instruments company

Computer

Hewlett-Packard (HP), founded by William (Bill) Hewlett and David (Dave) Packard, is a legendary name in the tech industry, renowned for its pioneering contributions to electronics, computing, and most notably, its foundational role in test and measurement instrumentation. From a modest garage startup, HP grew into a global powerhouse, consistently pushing the boundaries of what was technologically possible.

The Genesis: A Garage and an Oscillator (1939)

The story of Hewlett-Packard began in 1939 in a Palo Alto garage, where Stanford University classmates Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard pooled their talents and $538 in capital. Their very first product, and a key to their initial success, was the HP 200A Audio Oscillator.

The HP 200A: This innovative, low-distortion audio oscillator quickly gained recognition for its stability and affordability. A significant early customer was Walt Disney Studios, which purchased eight HP 200B oscillators to test the Fantasound system for the movie Fantasia. This initial success cemented HP’s reputation for quality and innovation in electronic test equipment.

A Culture of Innovation and Employee Focus

Hewlett and Packard fostered a unique corporate culture that became known as “The HP Way.” This philosophy emphasized:

Engineering Excellence: A deep commitment to research, development, and producing high-quality, reliable products.
Decentralization: Empowering engineers and teams to innovate.
Employee Respect: Treating employees with trust and respect, offering benefits like profit-sharing and flexible hours, which were revolutionary at the time.
Customer Focus: Building strong relationships with customers and understanding their needs.

This culture attracted top talent and fueled decades of groundbreaking innovations, particularly in the test and measurement domain.

Dominance in Test & Measurement (1940s-1980s)

For decades, HP was synonymous with high-precision test and measurement equipment. Their product lines were extensive and highly respected:

Oscilloscopes: While Tektronix specialized in high-performance oscilloscopes, HP offered a comprehensive range, often integrating them into broader measurement systems.
Frequency Counters: HP’s frequency counters were industry benchmarks for accuracy and stability.
Signal Generators: From audio to microwave frequencies, HP’s signal generators were essential tools for electronic design and testing.
Network Analyzers: HP revolutionized RF and microwave testing with its sophisticated network analyzers, critical for developing communication technologies.
Logic Analyzers: As digital electronics emerged, HP developed advanced logic analyzers to help engineers debug complex digital circuits.

HP’s instruments were known for their robust design, intuitive interfaces, and superior performance, becoming indispensable in countless laboratories, R&D facilities, and production lines worldwide. They were instrumental in the development of radar, radio, television, and eventually the entire computer industry.

Diversification and the Split

As the company grew, HP diversified into computing, initially with calculators (like the groundbreaking HP-35 scientific calculator) and then minicomputers, followed by personal computers and printers. This diversification eventually led to the strategic decision to split the company.

In 1999, HP spun off its test and measurement, chemical analysis, and medical products businesses into a new company named Agilent Technologies. This move allowed Agilent to focus solely on the scientific and technological instrumentation markets, while the remaining Hewlett-Packard Company concentrated on PCs, printers, and enterprise computing.

Legacy

While the HP name is now primarily associated with computing and printing, the legacy of its founders and its profound impact on test and measurement continues through Agilent Technologies. The principles of “The HP Way” — innovation, quality, and respect for employees and customers — laid a foundation that influenced the entire Silicon Valley ecosystem. Hewlett-Packard’s contribution to giving engineers the tools to measure, understand, and advance technology remains one of its most significant and enduring achievements.