I Visited the Garage Where Hewlett and Packard Created HP 85 Years Ago. This Is Where Silicon Valley Was Born

Visiting the iconic Hewlett-Packard garage in Palo Alto, California, is like taking a trip back in time to the birth of Silicon Valley. As I approach 367 Addison Avenue, I see a house that seems rather humble in the upscale neighborhood, where homes sell for between $2 and $8 million.

It’s hard to imagine that this unassuming green-painted wooden house was where one of the most influential technology companies of the 20th century began. But upon entering, history comes alive.

The first thing that strikes you when you go in is the attention to detail in the restoration. The house has been meticulously recreated to reflect how it looked in 1938, when two friends, Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard, moved here to start their company.

The curtains, for example, aren’t reproductions–they’re made from the same original fabric that was used 90 years ago. This level of authenticity is maintained throughout the house.

In the living room, I stop in front of the fireplace where HP’s first product is on display: the 200A audio oscillator. It’s a relatively simple piece of engineering but innovative for its time. An HP spokesperson explained that Hewlett and Packard would place it on the mantelpiece during Christmas simply because they were proud of their creation.

The dining room has an interesting history. This is where Packard slept with his wife Lucille in a Murphy bed that was hidden in the wall during the day. The dining room table was pushed aside each night to unfold the bed.

Seeing that cot makes me sad to think of Packard, who was 6’5”, sleeping in a bed surely designed for people of a much smaller stature. These are small details that humanize the technological pioneers. Before building their empire, they started with very modest resources.

In one corner is a vintage typewriter, a reminder of the role played by Lucille and Flora, Hewlett’s wife, in the company’s early days. They were responsible for all correspondence, marketing, and accounting.

The kitchen is another highlight of the HP Garage tour. The Wedgewood oven is identical to the one used by Hewlett and Packard. It has an interesting history: This is where they baked the paint for their oscillators.

At some point, Lucille commented that nothing baked in that oven ever tasted the same again. Today, some people complain about how remote work blurs the line between work and personal life. The paint and the oven are on a whole different level.

The kitchen wallpaper is another sign of the meticulous restoration work. Restorers discovered a piece of the original tapestry and hired a specialist to recreate the exact pattern throughout the kitchen. These small details make the experience more immersive and authentic.

And now, here comes the main stop: the garage. Upon entering the space, which measures about 13 x 15 square feet, it’s impressive to think of what Hewlett and Packard accomplished here.

The pillar drill that Packard brought in the back seat of his car takes pride of place. Surrounding it are tools and equipment from the era, faithfully recreating Hewlett and Packard’s working environment. Everything appears to be just as they left it on any given day.

An old photograph shows the two founders working in this very space. Another photo shows Harvey Zieber, the first HP employee, wearing a soldering helmet.

The garage’s collection of oscillators is impressive. Visitors can see models ranging from the original 200A to later versions, such as the 200B, known as the “Disney oscillator” because it was modified specifically for Walt Disney Studios’ use in film production at the time. In fact, the filmmaker was their first customer.

I’m amazed at how oscillators have evolved and how a simple improvement (adding a bulb as a setting indicator) has made a big difference in the product’s usefulness and commercial appeal.

One detail that stands out to me is that the first model was called 200A, not 100A, to give the impression that the company already had experience in the market. Marketing is key.

There’s ham radio equipment in the back of the garage. According to my tour guide, Hewlett was a radio enthusiast, and during renovation, restorers discovered one that extended out of the garage. It was Hewlett’s original antenna.

These details make me think about HP’s legacy. The company not only produced innovative technology but also introduced a unique corporate culture. Their employee clubs, from the women’s bowling league to the ham radio club, speak to a work environment that fosters camaraderie and personal interests beyond the company’s natural business.

HP didn’t own the house at Addison Avenue until October 2000. Then CEO Carly Fiorina pushed for its purchase and restoration. This shows how the company lost some connection to its roots only to later more than regain them.

As I leave the garage, I’m struck by the significance of what happened here. In this space, two college friends with $538 in their pockets started a company that would change the world. This is the epitome of the garage startup myth that has inspired generations of entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley and beyond.

It also makes me think about how the technology landscape has changed. Today, startups require much larger initial investments and face a much more competitive market. The romantic idea of two friends in a garage creating the next big tech company seems unattainable today. It’s a different time.

I often wonder what Hewlett and Packard would say if they could see how the audio oscillators they created have evolved into today’s smartphones, computers, and AI.

This modest garage marked the birth of Hewlett-Packard and ignited the technological revolution in Silicon Valley. The state of California has recognized this with a plaque at the entrance: Silicon Valley was born here.

The HP’s garage isn’t only a monument to the past but also a source of inspiration for the future. It provides a journey through time and a glimpse into the environment of those who spearheaded what’s still the global epicenter of technology.

And it all started in this garage.

Image | Xataka

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