The mechanical pencil is a sleek and efficient writing tool with an Italian heart, as it was created by the company Aurora, a renowned manufacturer of fine writing instruments. Founded in Turin in 1919 by Isaia Levi, Aurora quickly became a symbol of Italian craftsmanship and innovation, and while the company is best known for its luxury fountain pens, it also made significant contributions to the development of the mechanical pencil.

The early development of mechanical pencils can be traced back to the 19th century,  when the idea of creating a drawing tool that didn’t need any sharpening emerged.  However, it was Aurora in the early 20th century that played a key role in refining the design and popularizing this instrument.