In the 1940s HP industrial products gained acceptance among many scientists and engineers. The advent of World War II started an avalanche of new orders from the U.S. government for electronic instruments. One of the areas HP focused on during wartime was the microwave bandwidth; e.g., radar-jamming devices.
Throughout the 1950s Hewlett-Packard experienced significant growth in the electronics arena. In 1951 HP introduced the HP524A high-speed frequency counter, which dramatically reduced the time needed to accurately measure high frequencies. Many radio stations purchased the HP524A in order to accurately calibrate their transmitted frequencies.
The company's growth prompted management, led by David Packard, to look inward at Hewlett-Packard's structure and objectives. In 1957 Packard issued a set of corporate objectives developed as a guide to management decision-making. These objectives, along with Hewlett-Packard's management style, formed what is known today as "the HP way."
In 1959 HP became an international business presence when it opened a large manufacturing facility in Germany, followed by the establishment of its European headquarters offices in Geneva, Switzerland. Currently HP owns facilities in over 120 countries.
In the 1960s HP continued its steady growth in the test-and-measurement marketplace and branched out into new fields like medical electronics. The company began developing a reputation as a progressive, well-managed company, and as a good company for which to work. In 1966 HP Laboratories became the company's central research facility, which eventually developed into a world-class commercial research center. In 1968 the HP9100, the world's first scientific desktop calculator, was introduced.
The 1970s brought significant growth in both earnings and employment to Hewlett-Packard. Additionally, company leadership began to decentralize HP by transferring power away from headquarters' management. Several new products made their debut in the 1970s.
In the 1980s HP became a major player in the computer industry by introducing a range of new computer models, from desktops to powerful minicomputers. HP also successfully entered the printer market with its series of inkjet and laser printers designed for personal computers and minicomputers. In 1984 HP debuted its line of inkjet and laser printers. The LaserJet laser printer became the world's most popular personal desktop laser printer, as well as the most successful product in Hewlett-Packard history.