"WD-40 literally stands
for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the
lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist,
Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion -
a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when
he perfected the formula on his 40th try."
WD-40 was invented in 1953, by
the three members of the Rocket Chemical Company of San Diego, California.
They were working on a line of industrial rust-prevention solvents and
degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. WD-40 was first used to protect
the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. Norm Larsen
then repackaged WD-40 into aerosol cans for consumer use and the product
was first sold to the general public in 1958. In 1969, the Rocket Chemical
Company was renamed after its only product, WD-40.