RLX was first founded in 1999 as RocketLogix, Inc. with a connection to a Dallas-based investment firm, Cracken, Harkey & Co. After Hipp convinced the firm that there was a need for a new efficient web server concept, they agreed to build an investment profile for RocketLogix. Former
Compaq executives helped to raise money, including
Rod Canion (founder and CEO of Compaq) and Robert W. Stearns (former Compaq SVP of Corporate Development, now at venture capitalist firm Sternhill Partners). After development of their blade architecture, the company changed its name in 2001 to RLX Technologies. This change coincided with the company's move to The Woodlands. Former
Compaq executives Gary Stimac and Michael S. Swavely became CEO and President of RLX, respectively. Christopher Hipp and David Kirkeby applied for a patent on their design on July 20, 2000, and the
United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded patent 6411506 for a "High density web server chassis system and method" on June 25, 2002. After 5 years of operation, RLX was bought by
Hewlett-Packard in October 2005. ==References==