Skip to content
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Contact Us
Logo
 
  • ABOUT THE ARCHIVES
  • ABOUT HEWLETT-PACKARD CO. HISTORY
    • HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
    • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
    • MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & SALES
  • LOOK INSIDE THE VAULT
  • EXPLORE THE VAULT
  • FAQ
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • Home •
  • The HP Way: Corporate Culture •
  • The Tool Kit: Open Access to HP Tools

The Tool Kit: Open Access to HP Tools

Photo of the Hewlett-Packard toolroom taken in 1961. A man behind the counter is handing a tool to an HP worker. Enlarge
Share this piece of history
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Date: 1961

It was company policy at Hewlett-Packard that employees have open access to tools and parts. Bill and Dave believed that allowing employees freedom in pursuing work projects and hobbies that could aid their professional performance was good for the company. One day, Bill came in on a weekend to find a storeroom padlocked. He promptly came back with a pair of bolt cutters, snapped the lock off, and left a signed note dictating that the door should never be locked again.

Tags: 1960s • 1961 • Bill Hewlett • HP Way

( C ) HPCA

 
HP Engineers at Play
 
 
Avoiding Layoffs: Nine-Day Fortnight
 
Related
The Way We Work: Open Spaces at HP
Via Viso Cardiette: HP and Sanborn
Stocking Up: The Stockroom Workforce
POWERED BY
Heritage Werks
© 2023 Hewlett-Packard Company Archives. All rights reserved.
HP, Inc. Terms of Use and HPE Terms of Use

  • About the Archives
  • ABOUT HEWLETT-PACKARD HISTORY
    • HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
    • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
    • MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & SALES
  • Explore The Vault
Tell Us What You Think Icon
Tell Us What You'd Like To See?
Tell Us What You Think Icon
Tell Us What You'd Like To See?
  • About the Archives
  • ABOUT HEWLETT-PACKARD HISTORY
    • HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
    • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
    • MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & SALES
  • Explore The Vault
POWERED BY
Heritage Werks
© 2022 Hewlett-Packard Company Archives. All rights reserved.
HP, Inc. Terms of Use and HPE Terms of Use