HP - one of the largest American companies in IT area, among the top ten in the world market solutions in the computer technologies area.

History

The company was founded on January 1, 1939. The graduates of Stanford University, William Hewlett and Dave Packard decided to create a company engaged in the production of tester and measuring equipment.

The name of HP is an acronym, which is based on the names of their fathers - Hewlett-Packard (Hewlett-Packard). With throwing lots it was decided whose name would be the first. Hewlett won, respectively.

From the very beginning of their work everything went smoothly. The first product that they had invented enjoyed unprecedented success and high demand. A light bulb as a critical resistance of the circuit in a precision low-frequency generator has allowed them to sell the device for $54.40, which is almost 4 times cheaper than their competitors which offered less stable generators. And among the first who bought from the company eight generators was the Walt Disney studio. Generators had been used to test the stereo sound system that was used in the film "Fantasy."

1966 - HP has released the world's first minicomputer.

1968 - The company produced the world's first desktop scientific programmed calculator which was called the "engineering pearl" of the time.

1972 - The world's first scientific pocket calculator.

1974 - The world's first programmable calculator.

1975 - HP creates an interface HP-IB (interface bus), which was adopted as an international standard for connecting peripherals to computer.

1977 - The company developed a device with a combination of wrist digital clock, a personal calendar and clock.

Thus the path to success has begun, which is still going on up to date.

Expanding horizons: merging and cooperation

Year 2002 was a landmark for the company. It merged with Compaq, occupying a leading position in sales of personal computers.

In 2009, HP has taken under his wing Electronic Data Systems, thus occupying the second position in the international market of IT-services. In the same year the company bought 3Com.

Year 2010 was marked with the merge of Palm, Inc., which specializes in the manufacture of personal computers and smart phones.

In August 2011 Hewlett-Packard acquired software maker Autonomy for $ 10.3 billion USD.

HP works with the Beats firm and jointly with them produces desktops and laptops that can play audio in high quality.

The company in present

Since September 23, 2011 up to date Margaret Whitman is the President and CEO (Chief Executive Officer) of the company.

The company headquarter is located in Palo Alto (USA, California).

HP offers a line of printers, calculators, scanners, personal computers for home and office use, servers, and workstations. The company also provides business services in the IT field.

The scope of the Hewlett-Packard is enormous: its activities are being managed in more than 170 countries. The number of employees totaled 304,000 employees in 2010.