In 1827, in the small Tuscan town of Sansepolcro, Italy, Giulia Buitoni-a mother and home cook-became so well known for her starchy noodles that she decided to launch a pasta business. She didn't have much money, so she traded her most valuable necklace for a pasta machine. The trade was well worth it. Buitoni pasta was an instant success in Italy, and within the century, the company was selling its pasta around the world.