Compaq Computer Corporation was founded in February 1982 by Rod Canion, Jim Harris and Bill Murto, three senior managers who left Texas Instruments and invested $1,000 each to form their own company. Sketched on a paper place mat in a Houston pie shop, the first product was a portable personal computer able to run all of the software being developed then for the IBM PC.

The founders presented their idea to Ben Rosen, president of Sevin-Rosen Partners, a high-tech venture capital firm. The venture capitalists were impressed with the idea of a portable product innovating within the emerging standard and agreed to fund the new company. Ben Rosen continued as chairman of Compaq's board of directors until September 2000 when Compaq CEO Michael Capellas was elected chairman of the board by unanimous vote.

February

• Compaq Computer Corporation is founded.

December

• Initial public offering raises $67 million, securities traded on NASDAQ.
• In first year, Compaq ships more than 53,000 portable PCs.

January

• Reports first year revenues of $111.2 million -- a U.S. business record.

April

• Introduces Compaq PCs in Europe.

June

• Introduces first Compaq desktop, the Compaq Deskpro.

January

• Reports second year revenues of $329 million -- an industry record.

December

• Securities begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
• Occupies 700,000 square feet at Compaq Center in Houston.

January

• Reports third year revenues of $503.9 million -- a U.S. business record.

April

• Joins the Fortune 500 faster than any company in history.
• Ships its 500,000th personal computer.

June

• Completes construction of Compaq Main Campus located on a 55-acre site in northwest Houston.
• Purchases 94 acres adjacent to Compaq Main Campus for 1.3 million sq. ft. facility.

October

• Opens printed circuit board assembly facility in Singapore.

November

• Manufactures its one-millionth personal computer.
• Opens Scotland manufacturing.

February

• Reports $1.2 billion sales, setting the record as fastest company to reach that mark.

September

• Purchases 85 acres for continued expansion in Houston.

February

• Purchases 744 acres for expansion in Houston.

June

• Becomes No. 2 supplier of business PCs in Europe, passing Apple, Olivetti.

September

• Purchases Wang facility in Stirling, Scotland for service operations.

October

• Introduces first Compaq notebook PC, the Compaq LTE.

November

• Introduces first Compaq server, the Compaq Systempro (first EISA).

July

• Establishes East European sales organization; opens Berlin office.

December

• Announces plans to build a distribution center in Gorinchem, The Netherlands.

January

• Reorganizes management; Eckhard Pfeiffer named chief operating officer.
• Announces first billion-dollar quarter.

May

• Authorizes repurchase of 10 million shares.

June

• Eliminates the use of chlorofluorocarbons through new manufacturing process.

July

• Enters Japanese marketplace.

September

• Introduces first modular PC, the Compaq Deskpro/M family.

October

• Authorizes first Worldwide Systems Integrator, EDS.
• Elects Eckhard Pfeiffer to replace Rod Canion as CEO.

November

• Authorizes first distributors (TechData, Merisel); announces VAR program.

June

• Introduces first server management and optimization tools (Insight, etc.).
• Introduces first low-cost PCs (ProLinea, Contura).

September

• Introduces first printer product, the Compaq Pagemarq.
• Signs on first official retail channels (ComputerCity, CompUSA, etc.).

October

• Unleashes first low-cost server, Compaq ProSignia.

November

• Establishes computer training center in China.

December

• Announces three-year warranty and 24-hour technical support for all PCs.
• Authorizes first direct-response resellers (PC Connection, etc.).

March

• Introduces Compaq DirectPlus and 800-number.

April

• Signs Frontline Partnership Agreement with Microsoft.

May

• Delivers first Pentium processor-based products.

July

• Splits PC Division into Desktop and Notebook PC divisions.

September

• Launches Presario family for consumer marketplace (first all-in-one Compaq PC).
• Hosts INNOVATE '93 in Houston.
• Announces Concerto -- first pen-based notebook PC from Compaq.

November

• Introduces first mini-tower Compaq PCs (Presario and Prolinea).

December

• Discontinues printer business.

January

• Expands Scotland manufacturing operation with $10.5 million investment.
• Selects AMD as additional processor supplier.

February

• Boosts manufacturing capabilities in Houston with $20 million investment.
• Introduces first sub-notebook, Compaq Aero.

April

• Announces three-for-one stock split; issues $300 million in Senior Notes.
• Invests $50 million for expansion of Singapore manufacturing.
• Analysts report Compaq is No. 1 worldwide for 1Q 1994.

June

• Announces first rack-mountable Compaq server (Rack-Mountable ProLiant).

October

• Opens Brazil manufacturing facility.

January

• Achieves No. 1 worldwide PC marketshare position.

March

• Announces a complete redesign of popular Deskpro product line with new "Intelligent Manageability" features.

May

• Takes center stage at PC Expo '95 with Eckhard Pfeiffer keynote address.

September

• Awarded Europe's largest-ever PC contract with British Telecom.
• Opens China manufacturing facility.

October

• Acquires Thomas-Conrad and forms new internetworking products group.

November

• Acquires NetWorth to extend internetworking product line and include stackable hubs, high-speed hubs and Ethernet switches.

January

• Announces 1995 sales of $14.8 billion, lifts Compaq to No. 5 computer company in the world.

March

• Announces the LS-120, the industry's first 120 MB floppy drive.

June

• Announces its Armada family of value-priced, flexible notebooks.

September

• Opens expanded facility in Singapore.

November

• Introduces its handheld PC, the PC companion.
• Produces its one-millionth server.

January

• Unveils Presario 1060ES, Compaq's first portable designed specifically for education.
• Establishes Compaq Capital, a finance company for customer leasing and other financial options.

February

• Announces its new Presario 2000, sub-$1000 series.

April

• Acquires Microcom to broaden communications product offerings.

June

• Introduces the TFT 500, flat-panel monitor.

July

• Announces five-for-two stock split.
• Establishes Greater China Region as a separate company geographic division.

August

• Acquires Tandem Computer Incorporated, creating a global computer solutions company.

September

• Announces Build To Order (BTO) manufacturing model in North America.
• Forms Capital Europe LLC, a financial company for customer and leasing in Europe.

October

• Announces initiation of cash dividend and two-for-one stock split.

January

• Receives award for Best Call Center of the Year.
• Announces 1997 revenues of $24.6 billion, a new company record.
• Forbes magazine names Compaq its 1997 Company of the Year.
• Enters into major retail sales and service agreement with Radio Shack.

March

• Introduces line of remote access servers based on Windows NT server solutions.
• Unveils new Armada SB series tailored for small businesses.
• Selected as the "Green Lights Corporate Partner of the Year" by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

April

• CADALYST Magazine declares Compaq monitors as best in industry.
• Introduces video conferencing kit and high-capacity diskette drive for portable PCs.
• Receives Novell's Service Excellence Award at BrainShare '98.

May

• Launches color inkjet printers for retail.

June

• Unveils industry's first open-standards enterprise computer telephony modem.
• Launches "Built For You" program, offering custom-configured PCs via in-store kiosks at participating retail locations.
• Acquires Digital Equipment Corporation; largest acquisition in computer industry history, creating the second largest computing company in the world.

July

• Launches industry's first Web-based enterprise management program.

September

• Drives innovation with industry's first space-saving, full-featured, high-performance rack server, the ProLiant 1850R.
• Acquires rights to AltaVista domain name.
• Unveils initiative with Microsoft to make Digital UNIX more interoperable with Windows NT; propels the operating system into a premier role in the enterprise data center.

October

• Affirms commitment to OpenVMS with introduction of OpenVMS Galaxy architecture and major OpenVMS enhancements.
• Announces major enhancements to AltaVista search engine, including new searching techniques and features.
• Selected by Celera Genomics as IT Solutions, Services Partner for use in Human Genomic research.
• Receives Global Climate Protection Award for corporate leadership in Energy-Efficient Electronic Products.

November

• Co-develops with Panasonic world's first high definition digital television tuner-decoder for personal computers.
• Launches Prosignia brand and direct selling program for small and medium businesses.
• Introduces world's first broadband-ready Internet PCs with Pinacor, Inc.

December

• Receives SAP 1998 Award of Excellence and Award of Achievement.
• Receives PC Magazine's "Best of '98" award in the corporate PC category for its Deskpro EN Series 450 model.

January

• Creates the AltaVista Company, extending Compaq's Internet leadership position.
• Announces the formation of Compaq.com business division to drive Internet sales of Compaq products and services.
• Delivers world's fastest workstation: the AlphaPowered™ Professional Workstation XP1000.

March

• Acquires Shopping.com, which becomes an operating division of AltaVista.

April

• Compaq board of directors forms office of the chief executive under leadership of Chairman Benjamin Rosen; Eckhard Pfeiffer and Earl Mason resign as CEO and CFO, respectively.

June

• Names Michael D. Capellas, previously senior vice president and chief information officer of Compaq, as chief operating officer.
• Announces new Aero 8000, world's most secure, mobile and easy to use Handheld PC Professional device.
• Unveils the MP1600 as the first entry into the growing portable projector market: Weighing in at a mere 4.2 pounds, it is the world's smallest projector.
• Forms strategic partnership with CMGI; CMGI acquires control of Compaq's AltaVista business and its related properties (Shopping.com and Zip2).

July

• Appoints Michael D. Capellas president and chief executive officer.

November

• Joins forces with Cable & Wireless to deliver global e-business solutions.

January

• Named "world leader" in Consumer PC Market according to IDC.

February

• Enterprise Storage earns No. 1 ranking from leading network storage users.
• Compaq acquires assets of Inacom and creates Custom Edge, Inc., bringing customers industry-leading custom configurations and end-to-end order management capabilities.

March

• Launches Presario Internet PCs with 1 GHz processors.

April

• Compaq and Siebel extend relationship into Global Strategic Alliance.
• Ranked No. 1 vendor in Linux server market.
• Recognized by President Clinton as leader in bridging the digital divide.
• Announces broad 10-year corporate alliance with The Walt Disney Company.
• Unveils iPAQ Pocket PC.

May

• Compaq and 11 other high-tech industry leaders announce formation of global supply chain trading exchange.

June

• iPAQ Pocket PC earns first ZDNet "Tech Trendsetter Award" at PC Expo.
• Compaq Alpha technology enables early completion of mapping the Human Genome by Celera Genomics.

July

• Named Microsoft Global Services Partner of the Year.
• Reports best ever financial performance for second quarter.

August

• Selected by U.S. Department of Energy to build world's fastest and most powerful supercomputer.
• Expands iPAQ line with five new products, including the iPAQ Home Internet Appliance and the iPAQ Personal Audio Player.
• Named as the official sponsor of the Compaq Houston Marathon.

September

• Compaq Financial Services opens new office in Israel.
• Compaq and Commerce One form strategic alliance in B2B e-commerce.
• Launches new brand campaign touting Compaq's dedication to "Inspiration Technology."
• Announces $100 million dollar investment program for life sciences startup companies.
• Ben Rosen retires from Compaq board of directors. CEO Michael Capellas named chairman of the board.

October

• Achieves "Cisco Global Support Partner" certification.
• Forms marketing partnership with San Jose Sharks to create Compaq Center at San Jose.
• Reports record third quarter earnings.

November

• Compaq and Oracle deliver next-generation Internet appliances at COMDEX.
• Compaq and Walt Disney Internet Group announce strategic infrastructure, marketing, and distribution alliance in three-year deal totaling more than $100 million.

December

• Compaq board of directors authorizes $1 billion in share repurchases.
• New Cambridge Research Lab opens.

January

• Compaq and Yahoo! announce comprehensive global technology and marketing alliance.
• Compaq and Microsoft provide wireless network for delegates at the World Economic Forum's Davos annual meeting.

February

• iPAQ Pocket PC, MP2800 Projector, and Compaq biometrics card all win top honors at the 2001 Mobility Awards.
• Compaq donates $1.5 million to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to create new Internet safety project—the NetSmartz Workshop.

March

• Achieves No. 1 in Overall Market Revenue according to IDC High Performance Technical Computer Qview report.
• Provides key infrastructure to Microsoft Technology Center in Silicon Valley.

April

• Awarded three supercomputer wins in Japan and Australia.
• Retains number one spot in worldwide server sales in Q1.

May

• Joins Starbucks and Microsoft to create breakthrough wireless customer experience. Compaq also named preferred technology infrastructure provider to Starbucks.
• Unveils "Evo" notebooks, workstations, and thin clients.
• Named one of the "Top 25 Most Innovative Wireless Companies" by Unstrung, an influential publication in the wireless industry.

June

• Ships one-millionth iPAQ Pocket PC.
• Compaq and Intel accelerate enterprise server roadmaps. Compaq transfers technology to Intel and moves its 64-bit servers to Intel Itanium processor family.

July

• Announces ProLiant DL590/64, its first 64-bit industry-standard server incorporating the Intel Itanium processor.
• Announces Computing on Demand—allowing customers to purchase a variety of computing resources when they need them, where they need them—similar to buying IT as a utility.

August

• Sabre agrees to migrate its mainframe applications to Compaq's NonStop™ Himalaya™ server and database environment.

September

• Hewlett-Packard Corporation and Compaq announce plans to merge, creating $87 billion global technology leader.
• Resumes stock repurchase program.
• Provides technology to American Red Cross, Donates to United Way September 11 fund to aid NY, D.C. disaster-relief efforts.
• Compaq demonstrates first global storage network using Internet and Fibre Channel technologies.

October

• GTSI chooses AlphaServer platform for $857 million Army contract.
• Unveils new iPAQ Pocket PC—the 3700 and 3800 series.
• Awarded multi-year, single-source contract with the U.S. Postal Service.
• Adds two new storage solutions to StorageWorks—the StorageWorks Enterprise Virtual Array and the StorageWorks NAS Executor.

November

• Compaq announces grid computing program.
• Evo D500 USD earns "Best Desktop PC" honor at Best of COMDEX 2001.

December

• Compaq breaks into Top 10 on Interactive Week's Interactive 500.
• HP-Compaq proposed merger receives clearance from Canadian Competition Bureau.

January

• Evo D500 USD earns "Best Computer" honor at 2002 Best of CES awards.
• Compaq Global Services surpasses $1 billion mark in new outsourcing bookings in 2001.

March

• Federal Trade Commission clears proposed HP-Compaq merger.
• Compaq shareholders approve HP-Compaq merger.

May

• Compaq Computer Corporation becomes part of Hewlett-Packard Company on May 3, 2002, as merger is legally closed.
• HPQ is unveiled as new stock ticker for combined company.
• New HP is officially launched on May 7, 2002.