David Packard
Born 1912 · Age 113
American electrical engineer and entrepreneur; co‑founder of Hewlett‑Packard (1939). Served as HP president, CEO and chairman; U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense (1969–1971); major philanthropist (David and Lucile Packard Foundation).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Pueblo, Colorado
David Packard was born to Ella (Graber) and Sperry Sidney Packard in Pueblo, Colorado.
Entered Stanford University (freshman)
Began undergraduate studies in electrical engineering at Stanford University; met Bill Hewlett during his undergraduate years.
Joined General Electric in Schenectady
Took a position with General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York, working in vacuum-tube/electronics areas.
Earned B.A. from Stanford University
Graduated from Stanford (BA, 1934); earned varsity letters in football and basketball; inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Delta Phi.
Returned to Stanford for graduate study
Returned to Stanford on an assistantship to pursue advanced electrical engineering studies.
Married Lucile Salter
Married Lucile Salter; she later served as early office manager for HP; couple had four children (David, Nancy, Susan, Julie).
Earned M.S. / Engineer degree in electrical engineering
Completed graduate degree in electrical engineering at Stanford (master's/engineer degree cited in sources, 1938–1939).
First product: 200A audio oscillator
HP's first product was an audio frequency oscillator (model 200A); early production handmade by founders.
Cofounded Hewlett‑Packard (HP) in garage
David Packard and Bill Hewlett founded Hewlett‑Packard in Packard's Palo Alto garage with initial capital of $538; company name decided by coin flip.
First major sale to Walt Disney (Fantasia)
Eight HP audio oscillators were sold to Walt Disney Studios for testing sound equipment used in the production of Fantasia.
Ran HP during WWII while Hewlett served in Army
With Bill Hewlett drafted in World War II, Packard ran HP; the firm expanded rapidly to meet defense-related demand.
HP grew to ~200 employees and ~$1M revenue
By the end of WWII, HP had grown to more than 200 employees and was generating revenues near $1 million annually.
Hewlett‑Packard incorporated; Packard named president
HP incorporated in 1947; David Packard became the company's first president, a role he held until 1964.
Implemented employee incentives and education policies at HP
Under Packard, HP instituted incentive programs and invested in employee education (including full wages/tuition for grad study tied to return commitments).
HP goes public (IPO)
Hewlett‑Packard made an initial public offering of its stock (sources cite the late 1950s; commonly reported as 1957).
HP expands international presence and product lines
During the 1950s–60s HP opened international offices, expanded into microwave technology and later calculators and computers (growth era culminating in consumer products later).
Elected HP Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
After serving as president (1947–64), Packard became HP CEO and chairman in 1964; served through 1968 in those roles.
Established David and Lucile Packard Foundation
David and Lucile formalized their philanthropy by establishing the David and Lucile Packard Foundation (foundation founding year: 1964).
Nixon transition selects Packard for DoD deputy
President-elect Richard Nixon nominated David Packard to serve as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense under Melvin Laird (assumed office Jan 1969).
Golden Plate Award (American Academy of Achievement)
Awarded the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
Assumed office as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense
Packard began service as U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense (under Secretary Melvin Laird) — brought business resource-management concepts to DoD.
Issued major DoD procurement reform memorandum
Packard issued a memorandum in 1970 proposing major reforms to defense procurement (including elimination of Total Package Procurement in most cases).
Established Defense Systems Management College (DoD reform)
While Deputy Secretary of Defense, Packard helped establish the Defense Systems Management College to improve procurement and program management.
Packard Foundation defines program areas and expands giving
By 1971 the Foundation had five defined grantmaking areas and authorized just over $100,000 in awards that year.
Resigned as Deputy Secretary of Defense
Packard resigned from the DoD in December 1971 and prepared to return to Hewlett‑Packard.
Returned to HP as Chairman of the Board
After public service, Packard returned to Hewlett‑Packard and was re‑elected chairman of the board; served 1972–1993.
Returned dividends/stock placed in trust while serving in DoD
To avoid conflict of interest while at DoD, Packard placed HP stock in a trust with dividends/capital increases earmarked for charity while he served.
Packard Memo (Employment of Military Resources) enacted (legal effect)
The 'Packard Memo' and implementing regulations concerning employment of military resources in civil disturbances were enacted (Feb 1972), clarifying Posse Comitatus exceptions.
Chairman of The Business Council (1973–1974)
Served as chairman of The Business Council, representing senior corporate leaders in national matters.
Co‑recipient IEEE Founders Medal (with Bill Hewlett)
Packard and Hewlett received the IEEE Founders Medal in recognition of leadership in electronic instruments and public service.
Became Chairman, Board of Regents — Uniformed Services University (USU)
Packard was chairman of USU's board of regents from 1973 to 1982, later serving as USU president (1976–1981).
Packard Foundation hires staff and expands operations
The Foundation began to expand operations, hire staff and increase its grantmaking capacity in 1975.
Received National Football Foundation Gold Medal and Vermilye Medal
Honored with the National Football Foundation & Hall of Fame Gold Medal and the Franklin Institute's Vermilye Medal.
Served as President of the Uniformed Services University (USU)
Packard served as president of USU from 1976 to 1981 while remaining active in public and private advisory roles.
Ship 'David Packard' (oil tanker) built and named
An oil tanker named David Packard was built (cited capacity: 406,592 long tons deadweight) and operated for Chevron (registered Bahamian flag).
Pueblo Advisory Board created by Packard Foundation
The Foundation created the Pueblo Advisory Board to anchor community grantmaking in Packard's birthplace, Pueblo, Colorado.
Peninsula Open Space Trust launched (foundation partnership)
In partnership with local leaders, the Packard Foundation helped launch the Peninsula Open Space Trust to conserve lands around Silicon Valley.
Founded Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation
Prompted by his daughters, David and Lucile Packard created the Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation to build a public aquarium and support marine science.
Packard Foundation begins extended relationship with Second Harvest Food Bank
The Foundation started long-term support for Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties (later serving ~250,000 people/month).
Presided at HP Johannesburg headquarters groundbreaking
In 1980 Packard presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for HP's Johannesburg headquarters; his stance on South Africa investments drew criticism.
Public criticism over HP business in South Africa
Packard faced criticism for HP's expansion into South Africa and for comments preferring South African business over Nebraska divestment efforts.
Received Sylvanus Thayer Award
Packard was awarded the Sylvanus Thayer Award by the United States Military Academy for notable service.
Packard Foundation launches Management Assistance program
Foundation began a program focusing on nonprofit capacity building — strengthening leadership, strategy, and operations.
HP enters the printer market (laser/inkjet era begins)
Under Packard's influence and HP leadership, HP entered the printer market in 1984 and became a major producer of laser and inkjet printers.
Monterey Bay Aquarium opened
Monterey Bay Aquarium opened after years of planning and construction; Packard family donated approximately $55 million toward its creation.
Chairman, Packard Commission (Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management)
Packard chaired President Reagan's Blue Ribbon Commission on Defense Management (the 'Packard Commission'), 1985–1986, recommending procurement reforms.
Donated $40 million for children's hospital at Stanford
David and Lucile Packard pledged/donated $40 million to create the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (hospital opened 1991).
Registered domain name 'HP.com'
At Packard's instruction, HP registered the domain HP.com on March 3, 1986 — one of the earliest dot‑com domain registrations.
Lucile Salter Packard died
Lucile Packard, David's wife and early HP office manager and philanthropy partner, died in 1987 at age 72.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) established
Packard gave $13 million to create MBARI (1987), establishing a center for ocean research and advanced unmanned vehicles.
Vannevar Bush Award
Received the Vannevar Bush Award recognizing contributions to science and public service.
Packard Humanities Institute (PHI) established
The Packard Humanities Institute was established as a non‑profit for archaeology, music, film preservation, and archives.
Received Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Technology
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the National Medal of Technology (1988) for contributions to technology and public service.
Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame induction
Inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame (1988).
Elected to American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Packard became a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1988).
Packard Fellowships created
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation created Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering to support early‑career scientists (1988).
Received Public Welfare Medal (NAS) and elected to American Philosophical Society
Received the National Academy of Sciences' Public Welfare Medal (1989) and was elected to the American Philosophical Society (1989).
Oversaw major reorganization at HP
Packard oversaw a significant reorganization at Hewlett‑Packard in 1991 as chairman of the board.
Inaugural issue of 'The Future of Children'
The Packard Foundation published the inaugural issue of The Future of Children, translating research into policy guidance.
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital opened
Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford opened in June 1991, funded substantially by the Packards' gift.
Retired from Hewlett‑Packard
Packard retired from HP in 1993 after decades as founder and chairman emeritus.
Designated Chairman Emeritus of HP
After retirement from active duties in 1993, Packard held the honorary title Chairman Emeritus at HP.
David Packard Electrical Engineering Building named at Stanford
Stanford named the David Packard Electrical Engineering Building following Packard and Hewlett's $77M gift.
Packard & Hewlett donated $77 million to Stanford
David Packard and Bill Hewlett made a combined gift of $77 million to Stanford; the David Packard Electrical Engineering Building was named in his honor.
Received Lemelson‑MIT Prize
Awarded the Lemelson‑MIT Prize (1995) recognizing lifetime innovation and invention.
Packard Foundation conservation loans protect 1.6M acres
Through low‑interest loans and investments, the Foundation helped conserve 1.6 million acres of western lands valued at over $1 billion.
Published memoir 'The HP Way: How Bill Hewlett and I Built Our Company'
Packard published The HP Way (1995), a memoir describing HP's founding, philosophy and management practices.
Packard's HP stake valued > $1 billion at death
At the time of his death in 1996, Packard's stake in Hewlett‑Packard was reported to be worth more than $1 billion.
Left bulk of estate (~$4B) to David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Upon his death Packard left approximately $4 billion (the bulk of his estate), including large real property holdings, to the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
Died in Stanford, California
David Packard died on March 26, 1996 at age 83 in Stanford, California.
Posthumous Heinz Award Chairman's Medal (with Hewlett)
David Packard (posthumously, jointly with Bill Hewlett) received the Heinz Award Chairman's Medal in 1997.
Inducted into California Hall of Fame (posthumous)
David Packard was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2006 (posthumous recognition).
ClimateWorks Foundation launch (Packard Foundation commitment)
The Packard Foundation made a major commitment (initial seven‑year $500M commitment) to launch ClimateWorks (foundation action, posthumous for Packard).
Entrepreneur Walk of Fame recognition (posthumous)
David Packard was honored on the Entrepreneur Walk of Fame in 2011 (posthumous recognition).
MBARI launched R/V David Packard (research vessel)
MBARI built a new research vessel named R/V David Packard in honor of him as their founder (ship announced/built 2021).
Key Achievement Ages
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