# William Redington Hewlett

> American electrical engineer, co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (1913–2001)

**Wikidata**: [Q380467](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q380467)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Hewlett)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-redington-hewlett

## Summary
William Redington Hewlett was an American electrical engineer and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Hewlett-Packard (HP), one of the world's leading technology companies. Born in 1913, he played a pivotal role in shaping the modern computer and electronics industries through innovation, leadership, and philanthropy.

## Biography
- **Born**: May 20, 1913, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- **Nationality**: United States
- **Education**:
  - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Stanford University
  - Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- **Known for**: Co-founding Hewlett-Packard (HP) and pioneering innovations in electronics and computing
- **Employer(s)**: Hewlett-Packard (co-founder, 1939–2001)
- **Field(s)**: Electrical engineering, computer science, entrepreneurship

## Contributions
William Redington Hewlett co-founded Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1939 with David Packard, starting in a Palo Alto garage with an initial investment of $538. The company's first product was the HP 200A audio oscillator, a precision instrument used by engineers and scientists, including Walt Disney Studios for the film *Fantasia* (1940). Under his leadership, HP grew into a global technology leader, producing calculators, computers, and scientific instruments.

Hewlett was instrumental in developing HP's corporate culture, emphasizing innovation, employee respect, and management by objective. He also contributed to the development of early computing technologies, including the HP 2116A minicomputer (1966), one of the first commercially successful minicomputers. His work earned him numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Science (1983) and induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (1992).

Beyond business, Hewlett was a philanthropist, supporting education and scientific research through the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, established in 1966.

## FAQs
### Q: What did William Redington Hewlett invent?
A: Hewlett co-invented the HP 200A audio oscillator, HP's first product, and contributed to early computing technologies like the HP 2116A minicomputer.

### Q: When was Hewlett-Packard founded?
A: Hewlett-Packard was founded on July 2, 1939, in Palo Alto, California.

### Q: What awards did William Hewlett receive?
A: He received the National Medal of Science (1983), the IEEE Founders Medal (1973), and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (1992), among other honors.

### Q: Where did William Hewlett study?
A: He earned his bachelor's degree from Stanford University and his master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

### Q: What was Hewlett's role at HP?
A: He was a co-founder and served in various leadership roles, shaping HP's culture and technological direction.

## Why They Matter
William Redington Hewlett's co-founding of Hewlett-Packard revolutionized the electronics and computing industries, establishing a model for Silicon Valley startups. His emphasis on innovation and employee-centric management influenced corporate culture worldwide. HP's early products, like the audio oscillator and minicomputers, laid the groundwork for modern computing. Additionally, his philanthropy through the Hewlett Foundation has funded education, scientific research, and social causes, leaving a lasting legacy beyond technology.

## Notable For
- Co-founding Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 1939
- Developing the HP 200A audio oscillator, HP's first product
- Receiving the National Medal of Science (1983)
- Induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame (1992)
- Establishing the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (1966)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
William Redington Hewlett was born on May 20, 1913, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University, where he met David Packard. He later obtained a master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

### Career and Hewlett-Packard
In 1939, Hewlett and Packard founded Hewlett-Packard in a Palo Alto garage with $538 in capital. Their first product, the HP 200A audio oscillator, became a standard tool for engineers. HP grew into a major technology company, producing calculators, computers, and scientific instruments.

### Innovations and Leadership
Hewlett led HP's expansion into computing with products like the HP 2116A minicomputer (1966). He pioneered management practices, including "management by objective," which became widely adopted in corporate America.

### Awards and Honors
- National Medal of Science (1983)
- IEEE Founders Medal (1973, shared with David Packard)
- National Inventors Hall of Fame (1992)
- Benjamin Franklin Medal (1997)
- Lemelson–MIT Prize (1995)

### Philanthropy
Hewlett and his wife, Flora Lamson Hewlett, established the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation in 1966, supporting education, scientific research, and social causes.

### Later Life and Legacy
Hewlett passed away on January 12, 2001, in Palo Alto, California. His contributions to technology and corporate culture continue to influence the industry.

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## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://hewlett.org/about-us/hewlett-family-and-history/)
3. Find a Grave
4. [Source](https://www.invent.org/inductees/william-r-hewlett)
5. [Source](https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/recipients/founders-rl.pdf)
6. [Source](https://www.heinzawards.org/pages/william-hewlett-david-packard)
7. Mathematics Genealogy Project
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. [Source](https://archives.stanford.edu/download/m1995.pdf)
10. NNDB
11. [William R. Hewlett – NAS](https://www.nasonline.org/directory-entry/william-r-hewlett-7kez21/)
12. [Mr. William R. Hewlett](https://www.nae.edu/29212/wd)
13. [Source](https://oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/c8qr52p9/)
14. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
15. SNAC
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Virtual International Authority File