Turning “HP” Upside Down

Hewlett-Packard created Dynac — renamed Dymec in 1958 — as a joint-venture experiment through which to develop specialized instrument systems. Hewlett-Packard shared ownership of the company with Dymec employees, who had transferred over from Hewlett-Packard. As a wink at the companies’ relationship, Dymec’s logo was an upside-down adaptation of Hewlett-Packard’s, with the lowercase “hp” becoming “dy.” Dymec would prove such a success that Hewlett-Packard purchased the company outright in 1959, buying out Dymec employees’ outstanding shares and making Dymec a division of Hewlett-Packard. It was a smart move: the Dymec Division would create Hewlett-Packard’s first computer, the 2116A, in 1966.