timeline
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HP-150 Touchscreen and HP LaserJet |
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the 80s
HP 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.
HP 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
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HP-85 |
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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.
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HP 9000 |
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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.
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HP-75C |
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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
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HP-150 Touchscreen |
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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.
1984
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ThinkJet |
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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.
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LaserJet |
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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.
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Deskpro 386 |
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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
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Bill and Dave at the garage |
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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.
Actual company and product names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
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1970s
