The Fascinating History of HP Inc. Product Lines

History

Today, shoppers seeking printers frequently purchase HP Inc. brands, such as the HP LaserJet Pro. The company manufactures cutting-edge products widely used by consumers and businesses. It enjoys robust printer and copier sales.

2015: The Founding of HP Inc.

The modern firm of HP Inc. started in 2015. At that time, Meg Whitman, the CEO of Hewlett-Packard, announced that the company would spin off the firm’s printer and PC divisions into a new entity, HP Inc., while placing other technology departments within a separate Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company. The division and streamlining in 2015 occurred after Hewlett-Packard had already undergone extensive downsizing and cost cutting, and weathered a decade of tumultuous management shakeups.

Yet this manufacturer’s roots in the field of technology actually extend across many decades. The corporate ancestor of HP Inc. began conducting business in 1939, a few years before the United States entered WWII. Two young engineers and former Stanford classmates constructed their first electronic merchandise in a Palo Alto garage. Bill Hewlett (1913-2001) and Dave Packard (1912-1996) named their firm the “Hewlett-Packard Company” after conducting a coin toss to determine whose surname would appear first on the company letterhead.

An Electronics Firm

The rise of Hewlett-Packard during the second half of the 20th Century became one of the most significant business success stories of the 1900s. During their lifetimes, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard oversaw the growth of their small electronics manufacturing firm into a mighty player in the technology field. After starting their enterprise with under $600 in starting capital, the two entrepreneurs rapidly expanded its activities.

Bill Hewlett took a four year leave of absence to serve in the military during WWII. However, by 1951, the company (which incorporated in 1947) had already achieved sales figures of over $5 million. Significant expansion would occur during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. David Packard served briefly as Deputy Secretary of Defense during the Nixon Administration.

Hewlett-Packard Company Becomes a Powerhouse

The company began operating an electronics manufacturing plant in Germany in 1959. During the prosperous post-war years, Hewlett-Packard produced extensive business electronics goods for the military and private businesses. Its products included calculators, computers, oscilloscopes, and measuring instruments. It became a leader in manufacturing laser and ink-jet office printing equipment. By 2007, the firm generated annual sales revenues estimated at over $100 billion!