AmericaJR.com’s Jerome Rzucidlo visited the WD-40 world headquarters during his recent trip to San Diego. WD-40 was developed in 1953 by Norman Larsen, founder of the Rocket Chemical Company, in San Diego, California. ‘WD-40’ is abbreviated from the term ‘Water Displacement, 40th formula’, suggesting it was the result of Larsen’s 40th attempt to create the product. The spray, composed of various hydrocarbons, was originally designed to be used by Convair to protect the outer skin and, more importantly, the paper-thin balloon tanks of the Atlas missile from rust and corrosion. These stainless steel fuel tanks were so fragile that when empty they had to be kept inflated with nitrogen to prevent them from collapsing. WD-40 was later found to have many household uses and was made available to consumers in San Diego in 1958.
