That kindly 'uncle Dave' and some pithy notes

Cleaning up some old files, and getting ready for yet another personal move (this time from California to Washington to be nearer to our grandchildren), I found some vintage David Packard memos.

Many folk who joined HP from about 1971 onward (about the time Packard was returning from the Defense Department) had this view that Packard was a demi-god, with wisdom and perspective, to whom we could all turn for advice and assistance.   Not exactly doddering, but beneficent and kindly. 

Old-timers knew better, and one shared two notes with me (that should have been included in The HP Phenomenon, but weren't).     Dave's handwriting was not exactly fine penmanship, but it certainly conveyed authenticity.

The third note came out n 1991, near the end of Dave' s 'tour of duty' at HP, when a San Jose Mercury-News story described HP origins without asking Dave. 

Note 1: Sent to Al Bagley, General Manager of the F&T division, circa 1957:   "Bagley     This is both a waste of money and a violation of policy!    DP

Note 2: Note to WFC (Frank Cavier, CFO) and Van B (Ed van Bronkhorst, Corp Treasurer) and Jack Brigham (Corp Sec'y), circa Packard's chief nemesis--Excess Inventory.   He used these examples for the 1966 tour around the company, and again in 1973 to stop HP from borrowing money.  This note is undated, but said to be from the latter "Give 'em Hell" speeches he led (against Hewlett, no less).

And, years later, still strident, in a note to a young, hapless PR woman: