HP

HP. The company, founded in a Palo Alto, California garage by Bill Hewlett and David Packard, is a global leader in personal computing, printing, and 3D printing solutions. Its evolution from a maker of electronic test equipment to a cornerstone of Silicon Valley and a Fortune 100 technology firm is a seminal story in American business. Today, under the leadership of CEO Enrique Lores, it operates in over 170 countries, providing hardware, software, and services to consumers, businesses, and governments worldwide.

History

The partnership began in 1939 with an initial investment of $538 and the company's first product, the Model 200A audio oscillator, famously used by Walt Disney Productions for the film *Fantasia*. Throughout the mid-20th century, the company became renowned for its innovative electronic test equipment, such as frequency counters and signal generators, which were critical for engineers and scientists. The development of the HP-35 in 1972, the world's first handheld scientific calculator, revolutionized the field and marked its entry into the computing arena. A pivotal moment came in 1984 with the launch of the HP LaserJet, which set the standard for laser printing and became a cornerstone of its business. The 2002 acquisition of Compaq was a landmark event, making it the world's largest vendor of personal computers. In 2015, the corporation split into two independent, publicly traded entities: Hewlett Packard Enterprise, focusing on enterprise services, and the current entity, which retained the legacy of PCs and printers.

Products and services

Its portfolio is centered around personal systems and printing. The personal systems segment includes a wide range of laptops, desktop computers, and workstations under brands like HP Pavilion, HP Envy, HP Spectre, and the business-oriented HP Elite and HP ZBook series. The printing segment offers inkjet printers, laser printers, graphics printers, and supplies, with the HP OfficeJet and HP PageWide technologies being prominent. It has also made significant investments in the industrial and commercial space with its HP Multi Jet Fusion technology for 3D printing. Beyond hardware, it provides a suite of software and services, including HP Wolf Security for endpoint protection, HP Instant Ink subscription services, and managed print services through HP Managed Print Services for enterprise clients.

Corporate affairs

The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, California, and is a constituent of the S&P 500 and Fortune 500 lists. Its operations are divided into three primary reportable segments: Personal Systems, Printing, and Corporate Investments. Key leadership includes President and CEO Enrique Lores and Chairman Robert R. Bennett. It has engaged in numerous strategic acquisitions to bolster its portfolio, such as the purchase of Samsung Electronics' printer business in 2017 and Poly in 2022 to enhance its hybrid work solutions. The firm maintains significant research and development facilities, including the famed HP Labs, which has been responsible for breakthroughs in areas like thermal inkjet printing and memristor technology.

Environmental and social impact

The organization has established ambitious goals for climate action, aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2040. It operates one of the world's largest technology hardware recycling programs, having recycled over 1.1 billion pounds of hardware and print cartridges since 1987. Through the HP Foundation, it supports global initiatives in digital literacy, STEM education, and economic empowerment, often partnering with organizations like UNESCO and Girl Rising. The company frequently appears on lists such as the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and has been recognized by Ethisphere Institute as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for its corporate governance and ethics programs.

See also

* Hewlett Packard Enterprise * Dell Technologies * Canon Inc. * Xerox * The HP Way

Category:Computer hardware companies Category:Companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area Category:Printer manufacturers