The HP Way: Corporate Culture

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While Hewlett-Packard is revered for its groundbreaking products, it is also highly respected for the corporate culture instituted by its founders. Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard were highly engaged in the day-to-day operations of the company and encouraged this level of involvement across the board. Employees also were granted an unprecedented level of freedom as scientists were encouraged to explore and research ideas, while staff in manufacturing facilities were supplied with ample space to get their job done. This collection speaks to the HP Way and offers several examples that display strategies adopted across the company and even the industry.

Robin Williams’ Role at HP
Front view of Bill Hewlett's Barney Oliver Amplifier.
The Barney Oliver Amplifier
A group of HP Frequency & Time Division employees cheering on as miniature cars go down a track.
HP Engineers at Play
Early Policies for Success
Photo of the Hewlett-Packard toolroom taken in 1961. A man behind the counter is handing a tool to an HP worker.
The Tool Kit: Open Access to HP Tools
An issue of Watt's Current from July 1970.
Avoiding Layoffs: Nine-Day Fortnight
Contributions from All the People
Kyoko Sagimori of Hewlett-Packard's Santa Clara division speaks with Dave and Bill in front of the glass bonsai tree.
A Bonsai for the Boss
A photo of Dave Packard's preserved office at 1501 Page Mill Road with wood panel walls and original furniture and décor.
Dave Packard’s Preserved Office at HP
Open Communication and Growth
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard interacting with employees. Hewlett is tinkering with an instrument while the others look on.
“Management by Walking Around”
A letter from Bill Hewlett discussing Hewlett-Packard’s “open door policy” and its importance to the company culture.
Hewlett-Packard’s Open Door Policy
A group of HP employees including Yas Shimoguchi (left foreground), reportedly the first Japanese American ever hired by HP.
A Real Team Player: Yas Shimoguchi
Little Basin Memories
Dave Packard chats with HP employees during a coffee break.
The Coffee Break at HP
Dave Packard handing out profit-sharing bonuses to a crowd of HP employees in 1954.
Profit-Sharing Bonuses at HP
Two gold HP cufflinks with red chips and company objectives printed on a tiny chip in the center of each one.
“Management by Objective” Cufflinks
Dave Packard, Lucile Packard and Dick Arms serve a line of HP employees at the 1945 company picnic.
HP Tradition: Annual Company Picnic
Art Fong on the HP Way
John Young's CEO of the Year award from Financial World magazine, awarded to him in 1992.
John Young: CEO of the Year
John Young's CEO of the Year award from Financial World magazine, awarded to him in 1992.
John Young: From Engineer to CEO
Top-down view of a blue ashtray with the 200A schematic etched in its center.
Hewlett-Packard’s Oscillator Ashtray
Photo of several women gathered at a celebration and two women holding a large white box.
Company Celebrations at HP
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard presenting a box of gifts during a Hewlett-Packard holiday party in 1947.
The Hewlett-Packard Holiday Party
Behind the scenes photo from Hewlett-Packard's HP-TV television studio in the 1960s.
HP-TV Studio: Quiet on the Set
Reflecting on the 50th Anniversary
New Ability Award recognizing HP as Best Organization in a Supporting Role for Americans with disabilities.
New Freedom: HP’s New Ability Award
An HP employee poses next to a robot featuring the HP logo on its chest and a monitor for a head.
Dressed for Success: Fun & Innovation
A team of architects and engineers studying blueprints on the grounds of the HP campus at Stanford Industrial Park.
A Walk in the Park: New HQ
Photo of Bill Hewlett's preserved office taken in 2000.
Their Doors Are Still Open
A large group of Hewlett-Packard employees at a company party.
In Style: HP Parties & Events
Exterior view of HP's first administration building at 395 Page Mill Road in Palo Alto (taken in 1954).
HP’s First Administration Building
Three women working the name bank card catalog.
The Hewlett-Packard Journal Name Bank
Photo of many women on Hewlett-Packard's production line in the 1940s or 1950s.
Women on the Production Line
Photo of Art Fong, the earliest known Asian-American engineer to work for a Silicon Valley tech company.
HP’s First Asian-American Engineer
An HP employee in a futuristic costume celebrating the shipment of HP's first Precision Architecture products (Model 840s).
Precision Architecture: The Future Now
A man and woman seated at a picnic table outdoors.
HP: First US Company with Flex Time
Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard wearing tiny hats during a skit at the dedication of HP Loveland in 1962.
Leaders with a Lighter Side
Photo of six women gathered around a table during a baby shower in the 1960s.
Celebrating Life’s Milestones at HP
Photo of Dave Packard speaking with an employee in 1974.
Walking Around in Semi-Retirement
An article by Enrique Lore in the Winter 2017 edition of the Innovation Journal.
Enrique Lores: From Intern to CEO