[scrlk]

Intel should take a page out of HP's book when it came to dealing with a bug in the HP-35 (first pocket scientific calculator):

> The HP-35 had numerical algorithms that exceeded the precision of most mainframe computers at the time. During development, Dave Cochran, who was in charge of the algorithms, tried to use a Burroughs B5500 to validate the results of the HP-35 but instead found too little precision in the former to continue. IBM mainframes also didn't measure up. This forced time-consuming manual comparisons of results to mathematical tables. A few bugs got through this process. For example: 2.02 ln ex resulted in 2 rather than 2.02. When the bug was discovered, HP had already sold 25,000 units which was a huge volume for the company. In a meeting, Dave Packard asked what they were going to do about the units already in the field and someone in the crowd said "Don't tell?" At this Packard's pencil snapped and he said: "Who said that? We're going to tell everyone and offer them, a replacement. It would be better to never make a dime of profit than to have a product out there with a problem". It turns out that less than a quarter of the units were returned. Most people preferred to keep their buggy calculator and the notice from HP offering the replacement.

https://www.hpmuseum.org/hp35.htm

[basementcat]

I wonder if Mr. Packard's answer would have been different if a recall would have bankrupted the company or necessitated layoff of a substantial percentage of staff.

[scrlk]

I can't speak for Dave Packard (or Bill Hewlett) - but I will try to step in to their shoes:

1) HP started off in test and measurement equipment (voltmeters, oscilloscopes etc.) and built a good reputation up. This was their primary business at the time.

2) The customer base of the HP-35 and test and measurement equipment would have a pretty good overlap.

Suppose the bug had been covered up, found, and then the news about the cover up came to light? Would anyone trust HP test and measurement equipment after that? It would probably destroy the company.

[rasz]

Or potential of killing couple hundred passengers, or few astronauts. Oh, wait...