William Redington Hewlett

William Redington Hewlett was an American engineer and businessman who co-founded the global technology giant Hewlett-Packard. Alongside his friend and partner David Packard, he established the company in a Palo Alto garage, a site now celebrated as the "Birthplace of Silicon Valley." Hewlett's technical ingenuity, particularly his design of the HP 200A audio oscillator, provided the foundation for the company's early success and its renowned culture of innovation, known as the "HP Way."

Early life and education

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he was the son of a Stanford University medical school professor. After his father's death, the family moved to San Francisco, California. Hewlett attended Lowell High School before enrolling at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in engineering in 1934. It was at Stanford University where he met his lifelong friend and future business partner, David Packard, in a class taught by renowned professor Frederick Terman. Pursuing further studies, Hewlett earned a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1936. He then returned to Stanford University, completing an Engineer's degree in 1939 under the mentorship of Frederick Terman.

Founding of Hewlett-Packard

In 1939, with an initial investment of $538, Hewlett and David Packard formally founded Hewlett-Packard in a now-famous one-car garage at 367 Addison Avenue in Palo Alto. The company's first major product was the HP 200A, a precision audio oscillator designed by Hewlett. A key early client was Walt Disney Productions, which purchased eight oscillators to develop the groundbreaking Fantasound system for the film "Fantasia." The partnership's success was formalized with a coin toss to decide the company name, resulting in Hewlett-Packard. This garage is now a designated California Historical Landmark and is considered a seminal location in the history of Silicon Valley.

Career and contributions

As the company's first chief engineer and later president, Hewlett was instrumental in driving Hewlett-Packard's technological innovation. He oversaw the development of a wide range of electronic test and measurement equipment, solidifying the company's reputation for quality and reliability. Under his technical leadership, Hewlett-Packard entered the computing market, producing influential machines like the HP 2116A minicomputer and the HP-35, the world's first handheld scientific calculator. Hewlett served as president from 1964 to 1977, and later as chairman of the executive committee. He was a staunch advocate for the "HP Way," a corporate philosophy emphasizing respect for individuals, innovation, and community responsibility. He also served as a trustee for the Stanford University board and was a director of Chevron Corporation.

Personal life and legacy

Hewlett married Flora Lamson in 1939, and they had five children, including son Walter Hewlett, who later served on the Hewlett-Packard board. An avid outdoorsman, he had a deep interest in botany and fly fishing. Following his retirement, he dedicated significant time and resources to philanthropy, primarily through the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, which he and his wife established in 1966. The foundation has made major contributions to education, the arts, and environmental conservation. Hewlett passed away in Palo Alto in 2001. His legacy endures not only in the continued operations of Hewlett-Packard (now HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise) but also in the foundational culture of innovation and integrity he helped create for Silicon Valley.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career, William Hewlett received numerous prestigious accolades for his contributions to engineering and business. He was awarded the IEEE Founders Medal in 1967. In 1973, he received the John Fritz Medal, one of the highest honors in the engineering profession. He was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering. In 1985, he was awarded the National Medal of Science by President Ronald Reagan. He was also inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame and, alongside David Packard, was posthumously awarded the Great Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. Category:American engineers Category:American businesspeople Category:1913 births Category:2001 deaths