David Packard was a co-founder of the iconic company Hewlett-Packard and a leader in the world of technology. After its founding in 1939, HP went on to become one of the world’s largest computer and electronic device manufacturing and service providers. He was a leader in driving technological progress and revolutionizing the way people experience technology. This article will explore David Packard’s life and contributions to the technology industry and highlight some of the legacy he left behind.
Early Years and Education
David Packard was born in 1912 in Pueblo, Colorado, the son of a dry goods merchant. At the age of sixteen he enrolled at Stanford University, where he met William Hewlett and soon the two would become lifelong friends and eventually partners in HP. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1934 and secured a position working for General Electric in Schenectady, New York. After two years of working for GE, Packard enlisted in the US Navy during World War II, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant and worked on the development of various communication devices.
Partnership with William Hewlett and the Founding of Hewlett-Packard
In 1939, Packard and Hewlett founded the company that would soon become known as HP. In order to fund their new venture they invested the modest $538 they had saved and borrowed an additional $900 from an investor. Packard and Hewlett wanted to set up the company with the goal of bringing innovative and useful products to their customers.
The company started small, operating out of a 12′ x 18′ wooden shed behind Packard’s home. This was the same structure where they both worked and tested the first product – an audio oscillator – crafted in their famous “birthplace of Silicon Valley”, which Packard referred to later as “the garage” in many speeches and interviews. HP soon became a leader in the electronics industry and the start of their success can be attributed to the highly successful audio oscillator, which went on to be a benchmark product of the company and an iconic design of the early years.
Contributions to the Technology Industry
Packard was an integral part of HP’s success. He served as the company’s president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for nearly two decades. He demonstrated an excellence for product design, actively contributing to many of the early electronic devices, including the audio oscillator. His greatest contribution was to the culture and process of product development, taking the traditional model of engineering design and turning it into one of the most popular methods used today.
Through the years, Packard pushed the boundaries of innovation and encouraged others, such as former HP CEO Tracy Kidder, to join the cause of technology. He brought an enthusiasm and passion to the industry that has been an inspiration to many people. Packard was also an active voice in the corporate world, advocating for investing in research and development and forcing equal pay for men and women. He was known as an advocate for leadership based on social responsibility and ethical principles, a legacy that is carried on to this day by HP.
Philanthropic Endeavors
Packard was a prolific philanthropist, giving out sums of over $400 million to any organization that aligned with the principles he deemed important and influential. This included gifts to numerous universities, museums, and scientific research organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
His commitment to environmental causes was deeply felt by many and he was a strong supporter of innovative technology for the betterment of the environment. During the 1970s and 1980s, he sought to use HP’s resources to address global problems like poverty and hunger.
Packard was also an early proponent of school education reform. He was the founding chairman of the Educational Fund to End Poverty, which invested in education reform initiatives in California and other states. His commitment to the cause of education was evidenced by his $115 million gift to Stanford University in 1999, establishing the school as a leader in both technological innovation and general education.
Legacy
Throughout his life, Packard focused on advancing technology in order to improve people’s lives. He was a prolific entrepreneur, a philanthropist and a leader in the field of technology. His vision, influence and knack for entrepreneurship made HP the world’s most successful technology company and a leader in the industry.
Packard’s legacy lives on in the contributions made by HP, their continuing commitment to promoting innovative and educational initiatives and how their founders continue to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and technologists. He is remembered for his commitment to bringing value to customers and for advocating for building relationships rather than focusing solely on profitability.
David Packard was a notable pioneer in the technology industry. He co-founded HP and was a driving force in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. His legacy lives on in the way he thought about technology and his commitment to profitable but ethical relationships. From foundational audio oscillators to groundbreaking philanthropic endeavors, Packard was an influential and inspiring leader in the technology industry. His passion and vision have been an inspiration to many and his contributions to the field have been immense.
