The Modern Legacy of HP Leadership

The computer technology industry remains versatile and dynamic while producing new products and promoting the innovation and growth of related industries. The computer industry is relatively young compared to other industries found in developing and industrial nations. Luckily, we possess the advantage of knowing first hand the forefathers of this powerful industry.

Dave Packard and William Hewlett - the founders of HP -- are two such modern day technology visionaries. Many people can remember meetings, appearances and interactions with Dave and Bill. They left behind a flourishing company with a rich history of recorded data and both men passed on a tradition of corporate culture, innovation, and customer service.

Dave Packard was born on September 7, 1912. William Hewlett was born eight months later on May 20 1913. Although the men were born in different parts of the country, Hewlett in Colorado and Packard in Michigan, they seemed destined to meet at Stanford University in California. Both studied electrical engineering which promoted their interest in technology and led to the creation of the Hewlett Packard Company (now known as HP) in 1939.

After Packard received his Bachelors of Arts from Stanford in 1939, the future HP CEO and HP Chairman left California for New York to work as an engineer for General Electric. While Packard resided in New York, Hewlett pursued his own course and attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he received a Master’s degree in Engineering. He later returned to California and received another Master’s degree from Stanford. At the time of Hewlett’s graduation, Packard returned from New York and purchased a home in Palo Alto. With both men back in California, they set their sights on establishing and growing their new company.

HP produced its first product in 1939 out of Packard’s garage, the resistance-capacitance audio oscillator, which they sold to Walt Disney for the making of "Fantasia." The audio oscillator resembled a project Hewlett developed in graduate school. With production underway, Dave and Bill began creating more products out of Packard’s garage. The revenue earned from their portfolio of products allowed them to move into a new facility.

During World War II, Hewlett left HP to serve as an Army Captain for a special team examining Japanese industries. This excursion abroad inspired Hewlett’s later interest in expanding HP internationally. When his military service concluded, he returned to HP as a Vice President. He would later move on to become Executive Vice President, President, HP CEO, Vice Chairman of the HP Board, and Director Emeritus of the HP Board.

Packard also left HP to fulfill civic duties. In 1969 he served as U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Nixon. During Dave’s absence, Bill served as HP CEO. He returned to HP in 1971 and immediately took over the duties of HP CEO and Chairman of the HP Board. He held the position of HP Chairman until 1993 when he became Chairman Emeritus.

During their tenure at HP, Dave and Bill influenced the creation, development and growth of the electronics and computing technology industry. The two men established the "HP Way," an open policy management style that produced many innovative products. Some of these innovations included the 5100A frequency synthesizer, hand held calculators, personal computers, and revolutionary techniques in printing, to name just a few products. The innovation and care the two men displayed in their business lives also extended to their personal activities.

Both also served in many scientific and engineering organizations, including the Institute of Electrical Engineers and Electronics Engineers and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Dave served on school boards and as Chairman of President Regan’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management. Bill participated in the American Academy of Arts and Science and received the National Medal of Science in 1983 and the Kta Kappa Nu Association’s Eminent Member Award in 1999.

The living legacy of David Packard and William Hewlett remain fixed in the minds of current generations while continually affecting the operations of today’s biggest companies. Dave Packard and William Hewlett are figures that not only appear in history books but in the memories of many people today. They have passed on a rich history of innovation and creativity to HP and current HP Chairman, President and HP CEO Mark Hurd, who now leads the company.

Additional HP Information

The HP official Web site provides information about the HP Board including biographies, e-mail addresses and pictures of the board members. The members are available for executive speaking engagements through HP’s Corporate Speaker Bureau.

Information and press releases about the HP Chairman appear on the Corporate Information section of the HP Web site. Archives of press releases, feature stories, product images, and press information are also available.

The Channel register publishes a story about the newly elected HP CEO, Mark Hurd. Mark Hurd joins HP after serving NCR as CEO. He fulfilled many positions with NCR during his 17 year tenure.

A list of the HP Board member appears on the HP Corporate Web Site. Mark Hurd, the HP Chairman, appears on the site with his picture and a brief biography detailing his professional and personal life as well as his business strategies.