The History of WD-40

Do you know what WD-40 stands for? The name is a reference to the phrase: water displacement perfected on the 40^th try. In 1953, a small company called the Rocket Chemical company was trying to create a water displacement formula to use in a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for the aerospace industry. WD-40 represents their successful 40^th try at creating the formula. The product was first used to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile against rust and corrosion. Afterwards, company founder Norm Larsen experimented with putting WD-40 into aerosol cans and selling these cans to the public. WD-40 first appeared on shelves in San Diego in 1958 and quickly took off from there. Today, the original formula is not only still in use, but WD-40 is now such a common household item that many people couldn’t do without it!