William R. Hewlett — Co-Founder of Hewlett-Packard
William R. Hewlett, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard, was one of the most successful technology entrepreneurs and inventors of the 20th century. His work made a great contribution to the Silicon Valley region in California and to the tech industry as a whole.
Hewlett was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1913 and grew up in the Bay Area of California. His father was an engineer and his mother was a homemaker. In 1934, Hewlett received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, where he met Dave Packard, a mutual friend who would later become Hewlett’s business partner.
Hewlett-Packard’s Journey
The business partnership between Hewlett and Packard began in a single rented garage space in Palo Alto, California.
This is the legendary story of how the company Hewlett-Packard (HP) was born. After completing their studies at Stanford, the two friends pooled their resources and founded HP in 1939.
In their first year HP developed their first product, an audio oscillator, which was used to test sound equipment.
The ground-breaking oscillator contained some of the same patents that were used for future HP products.
The partners also developed their own marketing strategy by sending the oscillator to radio stations asking for feedback and offering free samples.
Impact of HP on Silicon Valley
In the following years, Hewlett and Packard’s business grew rapidly and they continued to invent new products and services.
HP grew to become one of the world’s leading companies in the electronics industry. This success resulted in even more inventions, including personal computers, printers, and calculators.
In addition to the major contributions that HP made to the development of technology, the business also had an impressive socio-economic impact on Silicon Valley which led to the region becoming the world-renowned tech hub it is today.
This bolstered the region’s economy and created thousands of jobs.
Hewlett and Packard’s Management Style
Hewlett and Packard ran HP by following their values of integrity, dedication, and respect for their employees.
They had an open office policy and encouraged two-way communication between managers and employees. HP employees were also encouraged to take risks and pursue new ideas and opportunities.
Hewlett and Packard also focused on creating an environment of trust and respect. For example, all employees could and still can participate in management decisions.
Philanthropic Contributions
Hewlett and Packard’s commitment to giving back to the community and the world at large was evident throughout their career.
In the 1940s, they funded Palo Alto community organizations and developed scholarships for Stanford students.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Hewlett and Packard set up educational and environmental projects. Then, in 1987, they established the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation and the David & Lucile Packard Foundation, which provided grants to non-profit organizations and in support of global conservation and environmental efforts.
Legacy Left by William R. Hewlett
William R. Hewlett died in 2001, leaving a lasting legacy not only in the tech industry, but also in the Silicon Valley area.
Hewlett’s contributions to technology were great and his style of management, which included honor, trust, and respect for staff, has become the standard for modern corporate leadership.
Hewlett and Packard’s company, HP, continues to innovate and produce technology that transforms the way people work and live.
William R. Hewlett was one of the key people responsible for transforming Silicon Valley into the world’s premier tech hub. His career was defined by his dedication, creativity, and leadership. He was a dedicated professional and a great philanthropist.
Hewlett’s contributions to the tech industry were immense and his legacy will continue to live on for many years to come. He was a great entrepreneur and an inspiration for generations of innovators, innovators who know that great things can be achieved through hard work and determination.
