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HP History

1980s

Hewlett Packard becomes a major player in the computer industry in the 1980s with a full range of computers, from desktop machines to portables to powerful minicomputers. HP also links computers with its electronic instruments and medical and analytical products, making them faster and more powerful.

Hewlett Packard makes its entry into the printer market with the launch of inkjet printers and laser printers that connect to personal computers. HP's high-quality, inexpensive inkjet printers spell the end of dot-matrix printers. The HP LaserJet printer line, which debuts in 1984, goes on to become the company's most successful single product line ever. The quality and reliability of HP's printers make HP a highly recognizable brand by both consumers and businesses.

Near the end of the decade, HP is recognized for its rich past as well as for its technological advances and products. The garage where the company started is declared a California historical landmark, and HP celebrates its 50th anniversary.

Compaq Computer Corporation (which will merge with HP 20 years later) is formed in Houston, Texas. Originally called Gateway Technology, the company is started by three former Texas Instruments executives who have the idea of creating a portable computer to run IBM-compatible software. The company's name is a combination of the words "compatibility" and "quality."

By mid-decade, Compaq is challenging IBM, beating the archrival's Intel 80386-based PC offering to market by nine months. Compaq uses that opportunity and customers' endorsement of its commitment to industry standards as a springboard to rapidly increase growth and new product development. Among those products is the Systempro, the first server built using industry-standard components.

Compaq sales skyrocket throughout the decade. Late in the decade, Compaq achieves $1 billion in annual sales faster than any company in U.S. business history.


1980

HP-85
HP-85

HP introduces its first personal computer, the HP-85. A steady stream of PCs follow.

HP introduces the first laser printer that is fast and inexpensive enough for use outside a central computer room.

HP revenue: $3 billion. HP employees: 57,196.


1981

HP's products become formally available in China when the China Hewlett-Packard Representative Office opens in Beijing.

HP revenue: $3.6 billion. HP employees: 66,807.


1982

The electronic mail system developed by HP Limited in the United Kingdom is the first major wide-area commercial network of its kind based on minicomputers.

HP 9000
HP 9000

HP makes advances in business computing when it introduces the HP 9000 technical computer with 32-bit "superchip" technology. The first "desktop mainframe" is as powerful as room-size computers of the 1960s.

HP-75C
HP-75C

HP's first handheld computer, the HP-75C, is introduced. With 16K RAM and 48K ROM, it runs BASIC and VisiCalc and can also be used as a clock and appointment alarm. Weighing only 26 ounces, the HP-75 provides 50 functions and is an early tool for mobile computing, connecting with such peripherals as a modem, digital cassette drive and printer/plotter.

Yokogawa Hewlett-Packard wins the prestigious Deming prize for quality.

HP revenue: $4.3 billion. HP employees: 69,538.

Compaq Computer Corporation (which will merge with HP 20 years later) is founded by former Texas Instruments executives Joseph Rodney "Rod" Canion, Jim Harris and Bill Murto. Canion is the company's first president and CEO. Venture capitalist Ben Rosen is named chairman. The company's first product is designed on a placemat at a local House of Pies.

On November 4, Compaq introduces its first product, the first portable PC. Equipped with a 4.7 MHz processor, 640K RAM and dual 5 1/4-inch floppy disk drives, the Compaq Portable PC weighs 28 pounds.


1983

HP 150 Touchscreen
HP-150 Touchscreen

HP allows users to activate features on their PCs simply by touching the screen when it introduces its first touchscreen personal computer, the HP-150.

Bill Hewlett is awarded the National Medal of Science, the nation's highest scientific honor.

HP revenue: $4.7 billion. HP employees: 72,000.

In its first full year in business, Compaq ships more than 53,000 portable PCs and earns $111 million in revenue, the highest first-year sales of any manufacturer in American business history.

Compaq's initial public offering raises $67 million. Its securities are traded on NASDAQ.

ThinkJet printer
Think Jet

Thermal inkjet technology developed at HP is introduced in a high-quality, low-price personal printer, the HP ThinkJet. The ThinkJet brings quiet, portable 96-dpi printing to desktop and portable PCs. With its far superior printing quality and inexpensive price, the ThinkJet spells the end to noisy dot-matrix printers.

Inkjet technology research began at HP Labs in 1978. Although large, industrial inkjet-marking devices already existed, they weren't suitable for document printing needs. By miniaturizing the technology and offering it in the form of a personal printer, HP is able to offer better print quality than serial dot-matrix printing, quieter operation, extremely low power consumption and, eventually, high-quality, low-cost color. Today's HP inkjet printers continue to provide technological breakthroughs at ever decreasing prices.

Laser Jet printer
Laser Jet

HP also introduces the HP LaserJet printer — the company's most successful single product. Able to print at 300 dpi (dots per inch), the LaserJet quickly becomes the world's most popular personal desktop laser printer.

HP Labs Bristol opens. The Bristol, England facility is the largest HP research operation outside of Palo Alto.

HP revenue: $6 billion. HP employees: 82,000.

Compaq announces its first desktop computer, the Compaq Deskpro, simultaneously in the U.S., Germany and the United Kingdom.

Compaq earns revenue of $329 million, an industry record for a second-year company. The company moves to its new headquarters on a 55-acre tract in northwest Houston. Eventually, the Compaq campus will grow to nearly 1,000 acres.

1985

China Hewlett-Packard (CHP), the first high-tech joint venture in China, is established.

HP revenue: $6.5 billion. HP employees: 84,000.

Compaq introduces the Deskpro 286 and Portable 286, the first portable PC to feature Intel's 80286 processor.

Compaq is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and reports third-year revenues of $503.9 million, another U.S. business record.

1986

HP is the first major computer company to introduce a precision architecture based on reduced instruction set computing (RISC). The HP Precision Architecture family of computer systems marks the first commercial application of RISC architecture. The use of RISC microprocessors makes powerful computers faster and less expensive. The development effort takes five years and is HP's most expensive R&D effort to this point.

Compaq's Deskpro 386
Deskpro 386

HP revenue: $7.2 billion. HP employees: 82,000.

Compaq joins the Fortune 500 — the youngest company ever to do so.

Compaq introduces the Compaq Deskpro 386, the first IBM-compatible personal computer running Intel's 80386 processor — launched nine months ahead of IBM's 386 offering. "Compaq's 386 entry defined a new standard for the industry," concluded PC Magazine in its 20th anniversary issue.


1987

Bill and Dave at the garage

Bill Hewlett retires as vice chairman of the HP board of directors and is named director emeritus.

The birthplace of the company, the original garage rented by Dave Packard at 367 Addison Ave., is granted California state landmark status as California Registered Landmark No. 976.

HP revenue: $8.1 billion. HP employees: 82,000.

Compaq manufactures its one-millionth personal computer and announces it will build a $23 million manufacturing plant in Erskine, Scotland.

Compaq introduces the Deskpro 386/20 and Portable 386, offering more speed, power and capabilities than ever before.


1988

HP's DeskJet printer, the company's first mass-market inkjet printer, makes its debut. The DeskJet offers plain-paper printing and industry-standard print resolution.

HP moves into top 50 on Fortune 500 listing: No. 49.

HP is listed on Tokyo stock exchange; it is the company's first listing outside the United States.

HP revenue: $9.8 billion. HP employees: 87,000.

Compaq reports $1.2 billion in sales and is recognized for reaching the $1 billion mark faster than any company in American business history.

Compaq and HP join with seven other companies to announce Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA), allowing advanced computers to remain compatible with older computers.


1989

HP celebrates its 50th anniversary.

HP revenue: $11.9 billion. HP employees: 95,000.

On November 6, 1989, Compaq introduces the Systempro PC System, the first industry-standard server. Based on 386 microprocessors, Systempro includes an innovative disk subsystem called the intelligent drive array.

Compaq's first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE, makes its debut. It is the first full-function laptop on the market.

  the 90s

HP is one of the few companies in the world to successfully marry the technologies of measurement, computing and communication. The company makes new advances in portable computing, enters the home-computing market and continues to invent new printing and imaging solutions. For most of the decade, HP enjoys growth rates of 20 percent.

Early in the 90s, John Young retires and is replaced by Lew Platt, under whose leadership HP continues to grow. HP becomes recognized as a company whose policies on work-life balance, diversity and community involvement help attract and retain top employees.

At the end of the decade, HP spins off its measurement and components businesses to form a new company, Agilent Technologies. It also brings on board a new CEO, Carleton (Carly) Fiorina, who focuses the company on reinventing itself for growth and leadership in the 21st century.

Compaq's explosive growth is threatened in the early 90s by inexpensive "PC clones." Eckhard Pfeiffer replaces Rod Canion, becoming Compaq's second president and CEO. The aggressively priced ProLinea PC line is introduced. By mid-decade, Compaq is shipping more PCs than any company in the world.

Recognizing market shifts, Compaq sets its sights on high-performance and enterprise computing. Eckhard Pfeiffer announces the goal of Compaq being one of the world's three largest computing companies by 2000. The company achieves that goal with the purchase of Tandem Computers and Digital Equipment Corporation.

As the decade closes, however, Compaq faces some significant challenges. Eckhard Pfeiffer resigns. Only months after being named chief operating officer, Michael Capellas is chosen to lead Compaq into the millennium. The new president and CEO becomes a champion for innovation, faster decision-making and listening to customers.
1990Compaq's most powerful notebook, the SLT 386/20, is introduced.

Compaq has its first billion-dollar quarter. Compaq products are sold in 64 countries through 3,000 authorized dealers.

1991

HP makes advances in lightweight portable computing with the introduction of the HP 95LX palmtop PC, HP's first palmtop personal computer. Weighing only 11 ounces, the HP 95 LX is roughly the size of a large pocket calculator but possesses as much computing power as a desktop personal computer system. It has a financial calculator, a telephone and address program, Lotus 1-2-3, a simple text editor and an infrared link for transferring data.

Desk Jet 500C
DeskJet 500C

HP introduces the color DeskJet 500C, which creates a revolution in color printing. Up to this point color printers have been expensive, specialized machines. But the DeskJet gives customers an inexpensive color-printing option and the model is a huge success.

Eckhard Pfeiffer, who for years led Compaq's international operations, is named to replace Rod Canion as president and CEO. He outlines a strategy that includes sweeping changes in product development, pricing, customer support, distribution, product promotion and financial management.

Compaq introduces its first modular PC, the Compaq Deskpro/M family. Components previously included on one system board — the processor, EISA bus, I/O, video graphics controller and memory expansion — each has their own board, allowing easy upgrading. The company introduces its first color portable PC.

John Young retires; Lew Platt, an engineer and head of the Computer Systems Organization, is elected president and CEO and a member of the board of directors. Platt, an HP employee since 1966, wins kudos inside and outside the company for championing diversity in the workplace, establishing a balance between work and personal life for employees and directing HP to become a leader in community involvement.

HP Corporate Business Systems
HP Corporate Business Systems

HP introduces the HP Corporate Business Systems — nine HP 3000 and HP 9000 computing systems with mainframe performance at up to 90 percent lower cost.

Compaq announces a series of new "clone-busting" products, redefining PC industry economics with its first low-cost family of PCs — ProLinea. It also introduces its first low-cost server, ProSignia, and its first server management and optimization tools.

Compaq's first printer product, the Compaq Pagemarq, makes its debut.

Compaq signs on its first official retail channels, including ComputerCity and CompUSA.

1993

OmniBook 300
HP OmniBook 300

HP introduces the 3-pound HP OmniBook 300, a "superportable" personal computer with enough battery power to last during a flight across the United States.

The company ships its 10 millionth HP LaserJet printer.

Dave Packard retires as chairman of the board of directors. Lew Platt is elected chairman of the board.

HP revenue: $20 billion. HP employees: 96,000.

Compaq introduces its first all-in-one Compaq PC, the Presario family.

Compaq announces Concerto, its first pen-based notebook PC, as well as its first mini-tower PC. The company discontinues its printer business.

Compaq joins the Fortune 100.


1994

HP produces the world's brightest LED (light-emitting diode). Combining bright output, reliability and low power consumption, LEDs replace incandescent lamps in many new applications. HP LEDs expand the range of LED applications in cars, traffic-control signals and moving-message panels.

HP begins collaboration with Intel to develop a common 64-bit microprocessor architecture for the computers of the 21st century. The work draws on years of research at HP Labs to create a replacement for PA-RISC processors. Known then as IA-64, the new processor (now called Itanium) debuts in 2001.

HP Office Jet printer-fax-copier.
HP OfficeJet printer-fax-copier

HP introduces the HP OfficeJet personal printer-fax-copier, a space-saving product designed specifically for professional home-office users.

Telecommuting policies are formalized, making HP one of the first companies to encourage telecommuting around the world. Employees can work at home or at remote HP offices. The result is rising job satisfaction, reduced commute time, increased flexibility to coordinate personal and work schedules, and lower levels of stress. HP benefits from reduced office-space requirements and improved employee retention.

HP revenue: $25 billion. HP employees: 98,400.

Compaq introduces its first sub-notebook, the Compaq Aero, and launches its first rack-mountable ProLiant server.

Compaq achieves the No. 1 worldwide PC market share position, announces expansion of manufacturing operations in Houston, Scotland and Singapore, and opens a manufacturing facility in Brazil.

Compaq revenue: $10.9 billion. Compaq employees: 14,400.


1995

The HP Pavilion PC marks the company's highly successful introduction into the home-computing market.

Dave Packard publishes The HP Way, a book that chronicles the rise of HP and gives insight into the business practices, culture and management style that helped make it a success.

HP revenue: $31.5 billion. HP employees: 105,200.

Compaq announces a complete redesign of its popular Deskpro product line, adding new "Intelligent Manageability" features.

Compaq acquires Thomas-Conrad and NetWorth, extending the company's internetworking product offerings.

Compaq's sales of $14.8 billion make it the No. 5 computer company in the world.


1996

Co-founder Dave Packard dies on March 26.

HP revenue: $38.4 billion. HP employees: 112,000.

Compaq produces its one-millionth server.

Compaq introduces new products: the LS-120, the industry's first 120 MB floppy drive; the Armada family of value-priced, flexible notebooks; and the PC Companion, a handheld PC.


1997

HP wins an Emmy Award for contributions to the sophisticated MPEG compression technologies used for video data.

HP becomes one of the 30 stocks that comprise the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA).

HP revenue: $43 billion. HP employees: 121,900.

Compaq establishes a finance company for customer leasing and other financial options.

New Compaq products include the company's first portable PC designed specifically for the education market, a sub-$1,000 home PC and a flat-panel monitor.

Compaq acquires Cupertino-based Tandem Computer Incorporated, known for its high-performance, fault-tolerant Himalaya servers and related software and services. Acquiring Tandem expands Compaq's influence deeper into high-end business computing and broadens its appeal beyond PCs and industry-standard servers.

Compaq revenue: $24.6 billion. The company is named Forbes magazine's Company of the Year.


1998

Jornada 820.
Jornada 820

HP introduces its first Jornada PDA (personal digital assistant). The Jornada 820 Palmtop PC runs Windows CE as its operating system.

HP revenue: $47.1 billion. HP employees: 124,600.

Compaq acquires Digital Equipment Corporation for $9.6 billion-at the time the largest acquisition in computer industry history. BusinessWeek writes, "By acquiring Digital, Compaq is catapulted from the upstart, wild-and-woolly PC generation into the high-tech big leagues of companies that supply the world's most complex and critical information systems."

Compaq drives innovation with the industry's first space-saving, full-featured, high-performance rack server, the ProLiant 1850R.

Compaq announces a line of remote access servers based on Windows NT server solutions and launches color inkjet printers for retail.


1999

HP's board of directors announces its decision to spin off a new company from the existing HP organization. Agilent Technologies consists of HP's former measurement, components, chemical analysis and medical businesses. HP retains its computing, printing and imaging businesses. Agilent has its initial public offering of common stock on November 18, 1999. HP retains 84.1 percent of common stock. It is Silicon Valley's largest-ever IPO.

In July, Lew Platt retires, and HP names Carleton (Carly) S. Fiorina as President and CEO. Carly comes to HP after nearly 20 years at AT&T and Lucent Technologies. As CEO, she leads HP's reinvention as a company that makes the Internet work for businesses and consumers.

HP reveals a new strategy designed for the Internet age, based on Web services. Web services are electronic services available over the Net that complete tasks, solve problems or conduct transactions. They can be used by people, businesses and other services and accessed via a wide range of information appliances over infrastructure solutions. HP positions itself to deliver all three components: Web services, intelligent devices and the infrastructure (servers and software).

Jornada 420.
Jornada 420

The first pocket-size Jornada, the 420, is introduced. This is the first CE pocket-size PC with a color screen.

In November, HP begins a new brand campaign based on a single concept: invent. Print and television ads focus on the company's history of invention and innovation. The company also introduces a new logo.

HP revenue: $42 billion. HP employees: 84,400.

Compaq introduces the iPAQ desktop PC — the first "legacy-free" Windows 2000 device designed for businesses moving to an Internet-based computing model.

Compaq forms a strategic partnership with CMGI, which acquires control of Compaq's AltaVista business and related properties.

In July, Compaq names Michael Capellas as CEO, making him the first former CIO to lead a major technology company. He focuses the company around global business units with end-to-end responsibility for meeting the needs of their customers. He rallies the company around a vision of driving "everything to the Internet" and a commitment to become advocates for Compaq's customers.

the 21st century

In the HP years of the 21st century, HP focuses on three key areas of invention: intelligent, connected access devices, infrastructure solutions and applications that can be delivered over networks as Web services.

Under the leadership of Michael Capellas, Compaq focuses on being a unifying force across the Internet, delivering next-generation access devices, building out the business-critical Internet and ensuring customer success through global partnerships, solutions and services.

On May 3, 2002, HP completed its merger transaction with Compaq Computer Corp., the largest tech merger in history.


2000

HP moves up the Fortune 500 listing to No. 13.

On June 2, HP completes divestiture of Agilent Technologies. As a result of the distribution of shares of Agilent Technologies common stock, Agilent Technologies is now a fully independent company.

Carly Fiorina delivers the commencement address at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in June. It is the second time an HP CEO has given the address (the first was Bill Hewlett in 1986).

Carly Fiorina is named chairman of the board of directors on September 22.

HP marks advances in the area of Internet infrastructure, introducing the high-end Superdome server line in September and announcing that it would acquire Bluestone Software. With this acquisition, HP significantly expands its Internet software portfolio by adding Bluestone's acclaimed J2EE and XML application servers and tools.

Superdome.
Superdome

In October, HP announces a new business initiative focused on emerging markets. Called HP e-Inclusion, the program addresses the digital divide by fostering sustainable, profitable businesses in developing countries.

HP revenue: $48.8 billion. HP employees: 85,500.

Michael Capellas is named chairman of Compaq's Board of Directors, replacing the legendary Ben Rosen and becoming the first Compaq CEO to serve also as chairman.

Compaq Alpha technology enables HP completion of mapping the human genome by Celera Genomics.

Compaq unveils the iPAQ Pocket PC and expands the line with five new products, including the iPAQ Home Internet Appliance and the iPAQ Personal Audio Player.

Compaq is selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to build the world's fastest and most powerful supercomputer.

Compaq revenue: $42.4 billion. Compaq employees: 70,100.

2001

Co-founder Bill Hewlett dies on January 12.

With the introduction in February of two software families — HP Netaction Software Suite and HP OpenView Software Suite — HP unites its software offerings into a comprehensive platform for developing, implementing and maintaining Internet-based services.

HP creates a new business organization, HP Services, in March. The role of the new organization includes consulting, outsourcing, support, education and solutions deployment.

Itanium processor.
Itanium

In May, HP introduces systems and services based on the new Itanium processor jointly developed by HP and Intel. Developed as an extremely parallel high-performance architecture, Itanium is the platform for next-generation 64-bit computing.

In September, HP acquires StorageApps, whose storage virtualization technology enables customers to easily implement and manage storage networks.

On September 4, HP and Compaq announce a definitive merger agreement to create an $87 billion global technology leader.

Also in September, HP announces that they will acquire Indigo, a leading commercial and industrial printing systems company, accelerating HP's plans to transform and lead the rapidly evolving digital publishing market.

HP revenue: 45.2 billion. HP employees: 88,000.

Compaq achieves a No. 1 position in overall market revenue in high-performance technical computing, according to IDC.

Compaq passes EMC as the No. 1 provider of storage solutions worldwide, including units, revenue and capacity.

Compaq and Intel announce a plan to accelerate enterprise server roadmaps by transferring Compaq technology to Intel and moving 64-bit servers to the Intel Itanium processor family.

Compaq announces its "Computing on Demand" initiative, which allows customers to purchase computing resources where and when they're needed — similar to purchasing IT as a utility.


2002

On May 3, HP and Compaq officially merge, beginning operations as one unified company. The new HP serves more than one billion customers across 162 countries, and is a leading global provider of products, technologies, solutions and services to consumers and businesses. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing.

picture of the Deskjet.
HP Deskjet 5550

HP announces "Big Bang," its largest consumer product rollout. Between now and early 2003, HP will release worldwide more than 50 new imaging and printing products offering consumers greater value and unparalleled ease of use. Three new color inkjet printers are part of the initial rollout, including the HP Deskjet 5550, which features up to six-ink printing and 4,800-optimized dots-per-inch (dpi) technology.


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