WD-40, a mainstay in any toolbox or garage, is known for its many uses, from rust prevention to moisture displacement. Despite its frequent use by DIY enthusiasts, few are aware of the actual meaning behind the product’s name.
After years of using the product, people are only now discovering what it truly stands for, and it appears their assumptions were far off the mark. Boasting over 2,000 uses, WD-40 was initially developed in 1953 as a means to shield the outer skin of the US Atlas missile from rust and corrosion.
The brainchild of chemist Norm Larsen, who operated out of a modest lab in California, he soon conceived the idea of marketing it to the general public. By 1958, the product was available nationwide in the US, and today it can be found in 187 countries globally.
While many avid DIYers will have a can of WD-40 stashed away, few actually know what the acronym signifies. In a recent tweet, American journalist David Muir posed a question to his nearly 800k followers: “What does WD-40 stand for?”
Several individuals provided David with the answer, but many had to resort to Google for enlightenment. However, many were taken aback to learn that it stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula.
The name is glaringly obvious – it was the 40th attempt at creating it.
One person replied: “It stands for ‘Water Displacement,’ which the inventor finally got right on his 40th try.”
However, others had their own interpretations of what they believed it represented. One person suggested: “Whistling doohicky 40” and another proposed: “Something degreaser”.
“World Domination 40 is what it should be named”, quipped a third. A fourth was close as they guessed: “WD-40 means wrong decision 40 times to make the correct formula.”