science · 23 September 1953 · 71 years ago
In 1953, WD-40 was invented and recorded for the first time in the Rocket Chemical Company's logbook. It was the Water Displacement 40th test, and first successful, formula created by Norm Larsen, for a lubricating penetrating oil intented to displace water for rust prevention. In 1958, it was packaged in cans and sold to the consumer market in San Diego, California, where the company was founded in 1953. It was named WD-40, its original test designation. The name of the company Larsen founded reflects its original purpose to supply materials used in manufacture of nuclear missiles, for which WD-40 was designed to coat structural components and prevent corrosion. After wide success with its versatile, but only product, the company name was changed in 1969 to the WD-40 Company Inc.
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