University South in Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Birthplace of “Silicon Valley”

State Historic Landmark #976 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 07//07

1. State Historic Landmark #976

Inscription. This garage is the birthplace of the world’s first high-technology region, “Silicon Valley.” The idea for such a region originated with Dr. Frederick Terman, a Stanford university professor who encouraged his students to start up their own electronics companies in the area instead of joining established firms in the East. The first two students to follow his advice were William R. Hewlett and David Packard, who in 1938 began developing their first product, an audio oscillator, in this garage.

Erected 1989 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, Hewlett Packard Company. (Marker Number 976.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 37° 26.578′ N, 122° 9.276′ W. Marker is in Palo Alto, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in University

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South. It is on Addison Avenue, on the right when traveling west. The marker is located outside the home, in front of the porch, right of the driveway. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 367 Addison Ave, Palo Alto CA 94301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Silicon Valley,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Electronics Research Laboratory (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Elementary School (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Face Book (approx. half a mile away); 401 Florence (approx. half a mile away); First Hospital (approx. half a mile away); Hostess House (approx. 0.6 miles away); Juan Bautista de Anza (approx. 0.6 miles away); John Adams Squire House (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Hostess House War and Veterans Memorial (was approx. 0.6 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Hewlett-Packard Garage image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 7, 2007

2. Hewlett-Packard Garage

In this Garage, at the back of the home owned by William Hewlett that he and his partner David Packard designed and built their first electronics project with commerical applications, an "Audio Oscilloator."

The Dave & Lucile Packard Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mathew H. Kohnen, November 7, 2007

3. The Dave & Lucile Packard Home

This home was divided into two apartments, with the Packard's living in the 1st floor apartment & Bill Hewlett renting living & work space in the garage. Today the home remains a private residence and is not open to the public. The property is fenced and electronically monitored. Please do not disturb the occupants and respect the homeowners privacy.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 8, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 4,831 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 8, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.