In 1912's, Walter A. Sheaffer took his idea of a pen-filling apparatus that utilized 

a lever system and, with his life savings, founded the W.A. 

Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, Iowa.

 The company was established in the backroom of Mr. Sheaffer's jewelry store with seven employees, 

and was incorporated a year later, in 1913's. 

By the 1930's, Sheaffer fountain pens were being advertised 

as the pen that fills instantly from any ink-well, with one touch of a finger.

 Cleans automatically when filling. 

Sheaffer has manufactured fountain pens down to the present day.

 The original lever-filler mechanism remained in use through the end of the 1940's, 

though a sacless plunger design was introduced in the early 1930's.