HP, short for Hewlett-Packard, is one of the world’s most recognized technology brands. The company is best known for designing and manufacturing personal computers (PCs), laptops, printers, workstations, gaming devices, accessories, and business technology solutions. Founded in 1939, HP played a foundational role in the development of Silicon Valley and remains one of the largest technology companies globally.

Today, the HP brand primarily refers to HP Inc., while enterprise infrastructure products belong to a separate company, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), following the company’s split in 2015.

The Beginning (1939)

HP was founded by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, two electrical engineering graduates from Stanford University.

The company started in a small garage in Palo Alto, California, with an initial investment of only $538. That garage is widely regarded as the Birthplace of Silicon Valley because HP became one of the first successful technology startups in the region.

Interestingly, the company name was decided by a coin toss to determine whether it would be called “Hewlett-Packard” or “Packard-Hewlett.” Bill Hewlett won the toss.

First Product

HP’s first commercial product was the HP Model 200A Audio Oscillator, an electronic instrument used to test sound frequencies.

One of its earliest major customers was Walt Disney Studios, which purchased eight improved Model 200B oscillators during the production of the animated film _Fantasia_ (1940).

During the following decades, HP expanded into numerous technology sectors, including:

• Scientific instruments

• Electronic measurement equipment

• Calculators

• Computers

• Servers

• Printers

• Enterprise networking

• Software

• Digital imaging

By the 1970s, HP had become one of the world’s leading electronics companies, with international revenue exceeding domestic revenue.

HP entered the personal computer market during the 1980s.

Over time, HP became famous for:

• Consumer laptops

• Business laptops

• Desktop computers

• Inkjet printers

• Laser printers

• All-in-One PCs

• Mobile workstations

HP eventually became one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers.

HP transformed home and office printing through innovations such as:

• Inkjet printers

• LaserJet printers

• Photo printers

• Multifunction printers

The HP LaserJet series became one of the most successful printer families ever produced and helped establish HP as the global leader in printing technology.

Personal Computers

• HP Pavilion

• HP Envy

• HP Spectre

• HP OmniBook (revived brand)

• HP Essential series

Business Laptops

• HP EliteBook

• HP ProBook

• HP Dragonfly

• HP ZBook (mobile workstations)

Gaming

HP’s gaming ecosystem includes:

• OMEN Gaming PCs

• OMEN Laptops

• HyperX gaming peripherals (acquired in 2021)

Printers

HP manufactures:

• Inkjet printers

• Laser printers

• Smart Tank printers

• OfficeJet printers

• DesignJet large-format printers

Workstations

Professional workstations include:

• HP Z Workstations

• HP ZBook Mobile Workstations

These are commonly used in:

• Engineering

• Architecture

• Video editing

• Artificial Intelligence

• Scientific computing

HP focuses on two major areas:

1. Personal Systems

Including:

• Consumer laptops

• Business laptops

• Desktop computers

• Gaming systems

• Accessories

• Monitors

2. Printing

Including:

• Home printers

• Enterprise printers

• Industrial printing

• Printing supplies

• Managed Print Services

In 2015, Hewlett-Packard separated into two independent companies:

HP Inc.

Responsible for:

• Personal computers

• Laptops

• Desktops

• Printers

• Consumer products

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)

Responsible for:

• Enterprise servers

• Cloud computing

• Networking

• Data centers

• AI infrastructure

• Enterprise software

This restructuring allowed each company to focus on different markets and strategies.

HP operates in:

• More than 170 countries

• Millions of customers worldwide

• Consumer, business, education, and government sectors

Its products are sold through:

• Official HP stores

• Retail chains

• Online marketplaces

• Business partners

HP emphasizes:

• Innovation

• Sustainability

• Reliability

• Productivity

• Security

• Hybrid work

• AI-enabled computing

The company invests heavily in AI-powered PCs, sustainable manufacturing, and device security.

HP has implemented initiatives including:

• Printer cartridge recycling

• Use of recycled plastics

• Carbon emission reduction

• Sustainable packaging

• Renewable energy adoption

These efforts form part of its long-term environmental and social responsibility strategy.

HP competes with companies such as:

• Lenovo

• Dell Technologies

• Apple

• ASUS

• Acer

• Microsoft (Surface)

• Canon (printers)

• Epson (printers)

• Brother (printers)

• Founded one of the first major Silicon Valley technology companies.

• Helped popularize affordable personal computing.

• Became one of the world’s largest PC manufacturers.

• Developed the influential LaserJet printer family.

• Built a globally recognized technology brand with operations spanning more than 80 years.

• HP’s first office was a one-car garage in Palo Alto, now recognized as the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley.”

• The company name was chosen by a coin toss between Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard.

• Disney Studios was among HP’s earliest customers.

• HP pioneered the “HP Way,” a management philosophy emphasizing respect for employees, innovation, and customer focus, which influenced many later technology companies.

HP (Hewlett-Packard) is a pioneering American technology brand founded in 1939 that helped shape the modern technology industry. From its origins in a small garage, it grew into a global leader in personal computers, printers, and workplace technology. Today, HP Inc. focuses on consumer and business PCs and printing solutions, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) specializes in enterprise infrastructure, cloud, networking, and AI. HP continues to be recognized worldwide for innovation, reliability, and its enduring influence on the computing industry.