Hewlett-Packard wasn’t just another tech startup. Founded in 1938 by William Hewlett and David Packard in Palo Alto, California, it grew directly out of the post-World War II boom in the U.S. defense electronics sector. The war had created a massive demand for precision instruments. HP rode that wave.
By 1966, the company had expanded beyond simple tools and built its first computer. Two years later, they introduced one of the earliest desktop electronic calculators. It was a signal that they were moving up the value chain. They weren’t just making parts; they were making the brains of the operation.
The company entered the personal-computer market in 1980. It wasn’t their first big hit, but it was foundational. That same decade, the HP LaserJet printer arrived. It quickly dominated the market for computer printers. If you worked in an office in the 80s, you probably knew the sound of an HP LaserJet.
By the 1990s, HP was a leading maker of minicomputers for businesses and institutions. They were also leading the field in both laser and inkjet printers. The company had secured its place as a hardware powerhouse.
Then came the big move. In 2002, the company bought rival Compaq Computer for $25 billion. It was a massive acquisition. A move to consolidate power and dominate the enterprise space.
