Wd-40 [top] May 2026
The name is a literal acronym for the chemist's lab notes: Water Displacement, 40th formula . It took Larsen 39 unsuccessful attempts to get the formula right; on the 40th try, he perfected the mixture.
Employees at the plant found the product so effective they began sneaking it home in their lunchboxes. Recognizing this potential, the company began packaging WD-40 in aerosol cans for consumers in 1958 . The name is a literal acronym for the
WD-40 is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, known for its iconic blue and yellow can found in nearly every garage, workshop, and kitchen drawer. While often mistaken for a simple lubricant, its true nature is far more versatile, acting as a solvent, rust preventative, and moisture displacer. The story of WD-40 began in at the
The story of WD-40 began in at the fledgling Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego, California. A team of three employees, led by chemist Norman Larsen , was tasked with creating a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for the aerospace industry. an aerospace contractor
In 1964, NASA utilized WD-40 on the Friendship VII spacecraft during John Glenn’s historic orbit of the Earth. The Science: How It Works History - WD-40 Company
The product was initially used by Convair, an aerospace contractor, to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.