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Wisconsin Hometown Stories

Janesville: Two Names

Through technical advances and marketing genius, Parker Pen put Janesville on the map.

05/07/2006 | Rating TV-G

Wisconsin Hometown Stories

Janesville: Two Names

Clip: Special | 8m 7sVideo has Closed Captions

Through technical advances and marketing genius, Parker Pen put Janesville on the map.

In 1890, George Stafford Parker patented his first fountain pen, the "Lucky Curve," which made several improvements. The Parker Pen Co. became one of Wisconsin's first nationally-known companies, and by 1908 was the largest pen-manufacturing company in the world. Proudly written on each pen was the name Parker, as well as the place it was made--Janesville, Wisconsin.

05/07/2006 | Rating TV-G

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Wisconsin Hometown Stories is a local public television program presented by PBS Wisconsin

Janesville: A Perfect Society

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Clip: Special | 9m 30s | Idealistic New Englanders chose Janesville as the location for building a perfect society. (9m 30s)

Janesville: GM

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Clip: Special | 58m 1s | GM came to Janesville to build tractors, and switched to making cars. (58m 1s)

Janesville: Growth

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Clip: Special | 5m 27s | Janesville grew by adding the making of farm implements to its expanding agriculture. (5m 27s)

Janesville: I Love You Truly

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Clip: Special | 5m 29s | Carrie Jacobs Bond was the first woman to sell a million copies of a song. (5m 29s)

Janesville: Intro

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Clip: Special | 9m 18s | Pioneer settler Henry Janes blazed a trail soon followed by hundreds, and then thousands, (9m 18s)

Janesville: Lincoln Slept Here

Clip: Special | 5m 52s | William Tallman built a grand home that housed famous guests including Abraham Lincoln. (5m 52s)

Janesville: Milestones

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Clip: Special | 6m 28s | New parks, better schools and government, and good-paying jobs helped Janesville thrive. (6m 28s)

Janesville: Strong-minded Women

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Clip: Special | 5m 44s | Janesville's Frances Willard and Lavinia Goodell led a movement for women’s rights. (5m 44s)

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