Birthplace of "Silicon Valley"

The garage was rented space. Dr. John Spencer, who became Palo Alto's first mayor under its 1909 charter, had divided this 1905 house into two apartments; in 1938 David and Lucile Packard took the three ground-floor rooms, Spencer's widow lived upstairs, and Bill Hewlett slept in the shed out back. Both founders attended this bronze's dedication in 1989. The company bought the property in 2000 for $1.7 million and restored it to its 1939 appearance. The garage is a private museum, seen from the street.

What the plaque says

Birthplace of "Silicon Valley" 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. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 976 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with Hewlett-Packard Company, May 19, 1989.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Electronics Research Laboratory — steps away
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• Portolá Journey's End — 1.0 mi