WD-40 is a familiar product in many households, often kept in garages or tool drawers for routine maintenance tasks. It is commonly used to reduce friction, loosen tight components, and help protect metal surfaces from moisture. While most people recognize the product instantly, few pause to consider where it originated or what its name represents. For decades, it has been relied upon as a practical solution, with its background remaining largely unnoticed by everyday users.
The name WD-40 traces back to 1953, when a small team at Rocket Chemical Company was working to solve a specific technical problem. Under the guidance of chemist Norm Larsen, the group aimed to create a compound that could prevent corrosion by displacing moisture from metal surfaces. After many failed experiments, the successful formula was achieved on the fortieth attempt. The product name reflected this process, with “WD” referring to water displacement and “40” marking the trial that succeeded.
The name itself was never designed as a marketing tool, but rather as a simple description of the product’s function and development. Over time, the formula proved useful well beyond its original industrial purpose. It gradually became popular for household, automotive, and general maintenance uses. Many people continued using it without knowing its history until renewed public interest emerged years later, including a moment when journalist David Muir drew attention to the meaning behind the name.
Today, WD-40 is valued for its reliability and wide range of applications rather than promotional flair. Its long-standing presence reflects consistent performance and practical usefulness. The story behind the name highlights how steady experimentation and persistence can lead to long-term success. What began as a focused solution for a technical challenge eventually became a trusted product used across generations for everyday problem-solving.