HWI was founded by Michael "Mike" E. Halleck in Frederick, Colorado in 1984. Mike has a history of entrepreneurialism and innovation as the holder of numerous patents and the original inventor of the TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device for pain treatment. Based on this technology, Mike founded Staodynamics in Longmont, Colorado in the early '70s and experienced great success, guiding the company through two public offerings and achieving revenues of $25 million in 1980 when he retired from the company.

Since its founding, HWI has been involved with the custom development of nearly a hundred different products in industries including medical, telecommunications, industrial controls, computer peripherals and food and beverage. HWI's engineers have earned over a hundred patents between them for clients in their collective careers.