tracking

WD-40 History | Learn the Stories Behind the WD-40 Brand | WD-40

WD-40 History | Learn the Stories Behind the WD-40 Brand

FASCINATING FACTS YOU NEVER LEARNED IN SCHOOL

In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40® Multi-Use Product -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today.

In 1953, a fledgling company called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small lab in San Diego, California, it took them 40 attempts to get the water displacing formula worked out. But they must have been really good, because the original secret formula for WD-40® Multi-Use Product -which stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still in use today.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40 Multi-Use Product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some cans out of the plant to use at home.

A few years following WD-40 Multi-Use Product's first industrial use, Rocket Chemical Company founder Norm Larsen experimented with putting WD-40 Multi-Use Product into aerosol cans, reasoning that consumers might find a use for the product at home as some of the employees had. The product made its first appearance on store shelves in San Diego in 1958.

Convair, an aerospace contractor, first used WD-40 Multi-Use Product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion. The product actually worked so well that several employees snuck some cans out of the plant to use at home.

A few years following WD-40 Multi-Use Product's first industrial use, Rocket Chemical Company founder Norm Larsen experimented with putting WD-40 Multi-Use Product into aerosol cans, reasoning that consumers might find a use for the product at home as some of the employees had. The product made its first appearance on store shelves in San Diego in 1958.

In 1960 the company nearly doubled in size, growing to seven people, who sold an average of 45 cases per day from the trunk of their cars to hardware and sporting goods stores in the San Diego area.

 In 1961 the first full truckload order for WD-40 Multi-Use Product was filled when employees came in on a Saturday to produce additional concentrate to meet the disaster needs of the victims of Hurricane Carla along the U.S. Gulf coast. WD-40 Multi-Use Product was used to recondition flood and rain damaged vehicles and equipment.

In 1960 the company nearly doubled in size, growing to seven people, who sold an average of 45 cases per day from the trunk of their cars to hardware and sporting goods stores in the San Diego area.

 In 1961 the first full truckload order for WD-40 Multi-Use Product was filled when employees came in on a Saturday to produce additional concentrate to meet the disaster needs of the victims of Hurricane Carla along the U.S. Gulf coast. WD-40 Multi-Use Product was used to recondition flood and rain damaged vehicles and equipment.

In 1968 goodwill kits containing WD-40 Multi-Use Product were sent to soldiers in Vietnam to prevent moisture damage on firearms and help keep them in good working condition.

In 1968 goodwill kits containing WD-40 Multi-Use Product were sent to soldiers in Vietnam to prevent moisture damage on firearms and help keep them in good working condition.

In 1969 the company was renamed after its only product,  
WD-40 Company, Inc.

In 1969 the company was renamed after its only product,  
WD-40 Company, Inc.

In 1973, WD-40 Company, Inc., went public and was listed Over-The-Counter. The stock price increased by 61% on the first day of listing.

Since that time, WD-40 Brand has grown by leaps and bounds, and is now virtually a household name, used in numerous consumer and industrial markets such as automotive, manufacturing, sporting goods, aviation, hardware and home improvement, construction, and farming.

In 1973, WD-40 Company, Inc., went public and was listed Over-The-Counter. The stock price increased by 61% on the first day of listing.

Since that time, WD-40 Brand has grown by leaps and bounds, and is now virtually a household name, used in numerous consumer and industrial markets such as automotive, manufacturing, sporting goods, aviation, hardware and home improvement, construction, and farming.

In 1993, WD-40 Multi-Use Product was found to be in 4 out of 5 American households (it seems everyone has a can or two) and was used by 81 percent of professionals at work. Sales had grown to more than one million cans each week.

In 1993, WD-40 Multi-Use Product was found to be in 4 out of 5 American households (it seems everyone has a can or two) and was used by 81 percent of professionals at work. Sales had grown to more than one million cans each week.

Can of WD-40 Big Blast

In 2003, the new WD-40 Big Blast® can was introduced, featuring a wide-area spray nozzle that delivers WD-40 Multi-Use Product quickly and efficiently over large areas.

Can of WD-40 Big Blast

In 2003, the new WD-40 Big Blast® can was introduced, featuring a wide-area spray nozzle that delivers WD-40 Multi-Use Product quickly and efficiently over large areas.

In 2005, as a commitment to offering consumers the easiest, most convenient way to get the job done, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 Smart Straw®, which features a permanently attached straw. The Smart Straw solved the number one complaint about WD-40 Multi-Use Product: losing the little red straw.

WD-40 Smart Straw Can Sprays 2 Ways
WD-40 Smart Straw Can Sprays 2 Ways

In 2005, as a commitment to offering consumers the easiest, most convenient way to get the job done, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 Smart Straw®, which features a permanently attached straw. The Smart Straw solved the number one complaint about WD-40 Multi-Use Product: losing the little red straw.

List of WD-40 Uses

In 2006, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 No-Mess Pen® to provide millions of WD-40 Multi-Use Product users a portable, precision-application delivery system of the famous multi-purpose problem solver. The WD-40 Fan Club reached an astonishing 100,000 members & a tribute to WD-40 Brand's fanatical fan base around the globe.

 In 2008, WD-40 Company listened to its consumers and converted its most popular-size WD-40 Multi-Use Product cans to Smart Straw cans. The official list of 2000+ Uses for WD-40® Multi-Use Product grew for the first time, thanks to the help of WD-40 Fan Club members.

List of WD-40 Uses

In 2006, WD-40 Company introduced the WD-40 No-Mess Pen® to provide millions of WD-40 Multi-Use Product users a portable, precision-application delivery system of the famous multi-purpose problem solver. The WD-40 Fan Club reached an astonishing 100,000 members & a tribute to WD-40 Brand's fanatical fan base around the globe.

 In 2008, WD-40 Company listened to its consumers and converted its most popular-size WD-40 Multi-Use Product cans to Smart Straw cans. The official list of 2000+ Uses for WD-40® Multi-Use Product grew for the first time, thanks to the help of WD-40 Fan Club members.

In 2009, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Trigger Pro® – a non-aerosol product with the same WD-40 Multi-Use Product formula – to better meet the needs of its industrial consumers.

Can of WD-40 Trigger Pro
Can of WD-40 Trigger Pro

In 2009, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Trigger Pro® – a non-aerosol product with the same WD-40 Multi-Use Product formula – to better meet the needs of its industrial consumers.

Image of WD-40 SEMA Cares Camaro

In 2010, The WD-40 Multi-Use Product/SEMA Cares Camaro sold for $75,000 on January 22 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all proceeds of the vehicle’s sale benefiting Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang®Camp children’s charities.

Image of WD-40 SEMA Cares Camaro

In 2010, The WD-40 Multi-Use Product/SEMA Cares Camaro sold for $75,000 on January 22 at the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona, with all proceeds of the vehicle’s sale benefiting Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang®Camp children’s charities.

In 2011, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Specialist® – a new line of best-in-class specialty products under the WD-40 Brand geared toward trade professionals.

Line of WD-40 Specialist Products
Line of WD-40 Specialist Products

In 2011, WD-40 Company introduced WD-40 Specialist® – a new line of best-in-class specialty products under the WD-40 Brand geared toward trade professionals.

In 2011, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang rolled off the auction block at the 40th annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 22 in Scottsdale, Ariz., raising more than $200,000 to benefit Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children’s charities.

In 2011, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Mustang rolled off the auction block at the 40th annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 22 in Scottsdale, Ariz., raising more than $200,000 to benefit Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children’s charities.

In 2011, WD-40 Company designed four limited edition cans that honor the men and women who serve or have served in uniform, and donated 10 cents of each can purchased to charities. A total of $300,000 was donated to Armed Services YMCA, Veterans Medical Research Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.

Cans of WD-40 Products
Cans of WD-40 Products

In 2011, WD-40 Company designed four limited edition cans that honor the men and women who serve or have served in uniform, and donated 10 cents of each can purchased to charities. A total of $300,000 was donated to Armed Services YMCA, Veterans Medical Research Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.

Sketches of WD-40 products

In 2011, Legendary hot rod designer and TV star, Chip Foose, collaborated with WD-40 Company, designing limited edition 8-and 12-ounce WD-40 Smart Straw cans featuring his distinctive sketches.

Sketches of WD-40 products

In 2011, Legendary hot rod designer and TV star, Chip Foose, collaborated with WD-40 Company, designing limited edition 8-and 12-ounce WD-40 Smart Straw cans featuring his distinctive sketches.

In 2012, For the second year in a row, legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, partnered with WD-40 Company to design limited edition, collectible Smart Straw cans, featuring his distinctive vehicle sketches.

In 2012, WD-40 Company founded WD-40 BIKE Company, a subsidiary business unit, and launched WD-40 BIKE under the WD-40 Brand, offering a product line focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance needs.

WD-40  Smart Straw Products
WD-40  Smart Straw Products

In 2012, For the second year in a row, legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, partnered with WD-40 Company to design limited edition, collectible Smart Straw cans, featuring his distinctive vehicle sketches.

In 2012, WD-40 Company founded WD-40 BIKE Company, a subsidiary business unit, and launched WD-40 BIKE under the WD-40 Brand, offering a product line focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance needs.

In 2012, Designed by legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Challenger sold for $115,000 at the annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with all proceeds providing life-changing services for children in need at Childhelp® and The Victory Junction Gang® Camp children’s charities.

In 2012, Designed by legendary hot rod designer, Chip Foose, The WD-40/SEMA Cares Challenger sold for $115,000 at the annual Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Show and Auction on Jan. 20 in Scottsdale, Ariz., with all pr