From humble begins in a small factory out into the world stage, one of the great liberators for generations has been a modest looking aerosol spray known as WD-40.

This year, the WD-40 consumer icon celebrates its 50th anniversary.

This household hero—in an unassuming blue and yellow can—has delivered freedom from millions of squeaking hinges, innumerable rusted nuts and bolts and freedom for thousands of immobile cars.

And, more recently, it‘s delivering freedom from acres of unsightly smears in stainless steel kitchens across the land.

The WD-40 legend continues to attract new believers and the product enjoys cult status across whole generations.

In literally millions of households, humble WD-40 sentries stand by on workshop shelves, under laundry sinks, in garden sheds and in designer kitchens...ready for action.

The list of engagements is formidable:

• Polishing stainless steel surfaces
• Waterproofing
• Removing crayon from walls
• Loosening rusty nuts and bolts
• Lubricating squeaky hinges
• Lubricating garage doors
• Drying wet ignitions
• Cleaning spark plugs
• Cleaning golf balls
• Removing ski and surfboard wax from fabric
• Freeing body parts “hopelessly” jammed in tight spaces
• Protecting garden and hand tools
• Lubricating locks cleaning and protecting machinery
• Helping remove chewing gum from shoes and hair

But even after 50 years, you can always find another use for WD-40.