Well… that was a short break!!!
Despite my self imposed summer break from blogging, I decided to react to Jonathan’s and Larry’s posts. I must admit: nice stunt guys! Though, one has to wonder if this is out of respect for HP’s legacy or merely an opportunity to plug Sun’s Java technology.
For those who did not follow the most recent events, YLEM – Artists using Science and technology – created a multi-site artwork for the Zero One Electronics Arts Festival, San Jose. They created life size wooden cutouts of Lee de Forest, Bill Hewlett and David Packard, William Shockley, Frederick Terman and Robert Noyce and started a hitchhiking journey from Michigan to Silicon Valley. Their journey can be tracked online on the Ylem blog, with drivers sending pictures.
As reported on the SFGate blog, it’s true, we were asked if we could store or display the Bill and Dave figures in our lobby and declined. Sun went so far as to purchase them for $6,000 and plant them in front of their sign.
We strongly value our humble beginnings and the vision of our innovative founders. You can find portraits of Bill and Dave in our lobby; we retained their offices in the condition they were in when they left them and keep them open to everyone here at HP (in the middle of the labs). We also embarked in the last years on a significant effort to preserve the garage on Addison Avenue, where it all began for us and for Silicon Valley. I never met Bill or Dave, but I bet neither of them would have approved paying thousands for representations of themselves.
As for Larry’s comments on HP-UX, I thought I would share the real story….
Hope you are enjoying the summer in Santa Clara.
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