1877 - Pietro Barilla opens a bakery for bread and pasta in Parma: using a wooden press, he produces 50 kg (110 pounds) of pasta a day.

1910 - First factory is built on Via Veneto in Parma, where 80 workers produce 17,600 pounds of pasta a day.  Pietro Barilla's sons Riccardo and Gualtiero take over the family business.

1939 - Barilla pasta is the first in Italy to be sold in packages (before that pasta was sold loose).

1947 - Barilla pasta begins to be sold all around Italy, not just in the vicinity of Parma.

1952 - Italian graphic artist Erberto Carboni designs the new trademark of Barilla, inspired by the white and the yolk of an egg.  (Yolk, in Italian, is called "il rosso" - the red part.  Hence, the trademark features a bright red color).

1969 - A new factory is built in Pedrignano, a town nearby Parma, which remains to this day, to be the world's largest pasta manufacturing plant, producing 1000 tons of pasta a day.

1975 - Mulino Bianco, which means "White Mill", is created offering a full line of baked products.

1977 - A line of fresh Barilla products is created - sliced bread, pastry snacks, and brioches.

1985 - Legendary Italian director, Federico Fellini, directs a TV spot for Barilla: "Rigatoni".

2002 - To celebrate Barilla's 125th anniversary, Wim Wenders directs an award-winning, 90-second promotional film for Barilla.

2002 - Academia Barilla is born, offering the Finest Italian Gourmet Food Products to restaurateurs and specialty gourmet retailers.

Everyday - Millions of people enjoy Barilla's products that are found at your local food retailer.  Academia Barilla offers you a selection of Barilla's finest Italian gourmet food products.

Discover the tastes of Italy, shop online and explore the finest Italian gourmet food products.