About Hp

About Hewlett-Packard

Former Stanford University classmates, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard formed the Hewlett-Packard Company in a Palo Alto, California garage in 1939 with an initial investment of $538. The first product that the duo produced was an electronic test instrument called an audio oscillator and was used by sound engineers. One of their first sales of this product was to Walt Disney studios, who purchased eight of the audio oscillators for production of the Disney movie Fanastasia. The audio oscillator proved to be one of their longest selling products, remaining on the market for over 32 years, making it one of the longest selling electronic products in history.

In the early years of its growth, the company did not narrow their focus into electronics or any specific type of industry. HP tried its hand at producing electronic products for everything from industry to agriculture.

Beginning in the 1950's the company began to produce computer hardware and provide services. The company went public in 1957. Currently, the Hewlett-Packard produces hundreds of thousands of computers and computer related products such as printers, servers, and computer support products such as printer labels and ink cartridges. Hewlett-Packard's worldwide customer base includes businesses, households, and online distributers. In 2002, Hewlett-Packard merged with computer giant Compaq. Five years later, Hewlett-Packard became the first information technology company to report revenues exceeding one hundred billion dollars. Hewlett-Packard has moved their company from the small garage to an 8 acre site, but their headquarters has always remained in Palo Alto. In addition to their headquarters, the company has facilities all over the world including London, Singapore and Switzerland. The original garage was preserved as a historical reminder of the company's humble beginnings.

HP faces constant pressure by their competitors in each of the sectors they operate in. In...