History of WD-40

FASCINATING FACTS YOU NEVER LEARNED IN SCHOOL

In 1953, a young three-person company — Rocket Chemical Company — began its operations with the goal of creating a line of anti-corrosion solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. Working in a small laboratory in San Diego, California, they conducted 40 attempts to develop a water-displacing formula. Eventually, they succeeded, and the original secret formula of WD-40® Multi-Use Product (“Water Displacement” — perfected on the 40th attempt) is still used to this day.

Aerospace contractor Convair first used WD-40 Multi-Use Product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas missile from rust and corrosion. The product proved to be so effective that some employees secretly took cans home for personal use.

Several years later, Rocket Chemical Company founder Norm Larsen began experimenting with placing WD-40 Multi-Use Product into aerosol cans. He believed that consumers, like the company’s employees, would find household uses for it. In 1958, the product first appeared on store shelves in San Diego.

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

1961 the first full truckload order of WD-40 was completed. Employees came in on a Saturday to produce additional concentrate for victims of Hurricane Carla along the U.S. Gulf Coast. WD-40 was used to restore vehicles and equipment damaged by flooding and rain.

1968 kits containing WD-40 products were sent to soldiers in Vietnam to protect firearms from moisture and keep them in working condition.

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

1973 WD-40 Company, Inc. became a public company and was listed on the Over-The-Counter market. The stock price increased by 61% on the first day of trading.

Since then, the WD-40 brand has grown rapidly and has become practically a household name, used in automotive, manufacturing, sporting goods, aviation, construction, home improvement, and agriculture.

1993 it was found that WD-40 Multi-Use Product was present in 4 out of 5 American households. 81% of professionals used it at work. Sales exceeded one million cans per week.

2003 the WD-40 Big Blast® can was introduced, delivering fast spray coverage over large areas.

2005 WD-40 Smart Straw® was released. The can with a permanently attached thin straw solved the most common complaint — losing the little red straw.

2006 WD-40 No-Mess Pen® was introduced — a portable precision-application system. That same year, the WD-40 Fan Club membership reached 100,000 people.

2008 the most popular can sizes were converted to the Smart Straw format, and the official list of more than 2,000 WD-40 uses was expanded.

2009 WD-40 Trigger Pro® — a non-aerosol product — was introduced for industrial consumers.

2010–2014 proceeds from auction sales of specially designed WD-40 vehicles were donated to Childhelp® and other children’s charities.

2011 the WD-40 Specialist® product line was created — specialized products designed for professionals.

That same year, the company released a limited-edition series of cans honoring military service members and donated $300,000 to charity.

2012 the WD-40 BIKE sub-brand was created, focused on bicycle maintenance products.

2013 the company celebrated its 60th anniversary.

2015 WD-40 EZ-REACH® was introduced, featuring an 8-inch flexible straw for hard-to-reach areas.

2016 WD-40 Specialist Spray & Stay Gel Lubricant was released — a no-drip formula providing 12 times longer-lasting lubrication on vertical surfaces.

2017 a water-based, non-aerosol industrial cleaner and degreaser was introduced.

2020 the WD-40 product line received updated packaging design highlighting the brand’s iconic blue and yellow colors.