2007-12-01 02:21:33 · 18 answers · asked by mad&sad 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
It stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th attempt (in 1953). Norm Larson founded the Rocket Chemical company which first produced WD-40
The same formula is still in use.
http://www.wd40.com/AboutUs/our_history.html
You can confirm this by ringing the UK branch of the company The WD40 company Ltd 01908 555400
2007-12-01 02:25:12 · answer #1 · answered by DoctressWho 4 · 6⤊ 4⤋
Another interesting point is that they never applied for a patent for the product. If they did apply they would have to explain the ingredients and process to protect it for the set time limit that a patent is allowed.I think it is twenty years. After the set time, it is open to anyone who wants to know. So they did not and to this day .. will not tell anyone the secret if it is ingredient or process. Speculations have always been around from using whale oil or processing it in a weightell environment .... no one has duplicated it even in this technical day and age. Others have tried but have failed miserably. Just thought it was interesting trivia.
2007-12-01 05:23:20 · answer #2 · answered by lvgeno 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The product began from a search for a rust preventative solvent and degreaser to protect missile parts. WD-40 was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket Chemical Company. Its name comes from a project that was to find a "Water Displacement" compound. They were successful on their fortieth attempt, Thus WD-40.
2007-12-01 02:35:56 · answer #3 · answered by James M 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
There ae various techniques, Chisel and hammer, split the nut, torch to warmth the nut and separate the two areas. If the heads are stripped get the subsequent small length socket or wrench, faucet them onto the pinnacle of the nut and bolt so they style to the form of the wrench/socket and eliminate as commonplace. all of those possibilities are based on distinctive variables, hardness of bolts, proximity to plastic/flammible areas etc. Be imaginitive, you may get them aside notwithstanding it is going to take a little time
2016-10-18 11:35:48 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no idea but that stuff is great, use it on everything and works like a charm
probably because 40 is the name of eihter it's strenght/effectivness compared to the other ones made by the same company, and WD was just another name for something in the same line of products, lubricants
2007-12-01 02:32:57 · answer #5 · answered by Christie! 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
'water displacement, 40th attempt'
WD 40 was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen
Larsen was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion by displacing water, and arrived at the formula on his 40th attempt
2007-12-01 02:26:53 · answer #6 · answered by sarasara 3 · 8⤊ 2⤋
There now, I always thought it was War Department issue No 40 Ah! well live and learn.
2007-12-01 02:33:04 · answer #7 · answered by SAPPER 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Water Displacement lubricant number forty.
2007-12-01 02:25:45 · answer #8 · answered by omnisource 6 · 4⤊ 4⤋
Water Dispersant 40. It was the 40th attempt to make a satisfactory product. Any more or less and it would have been WD39 or WD41.
2007-12-01 02:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 6⤋
Water Displacement compound no. 40
2007-12-01 02:25:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 6⤋