The Magic Lube: WD-40 – History, Uses & Secret Formula

There is a joke that says, “If it is supposed to move and does not – use WD-40. If it moves and it is not supposed to – use Duct Tape.”

What Is WD-40?

WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. It’s a multi-use lubricant and rust protector that removes moisture, loosens stuck parts, prevents corrosion, and even cleans surfaces.

Although most people use it as a lubricant, WD-40 is much more — it’s a moisture displacer and metal protector first, making it a favorite in both homes and industries.

The Origin Story (1953 – San Diego, California)

As the legend goes, WD-40 was invented by employee and chemist at Rocket Chemical Company, Iver Norman Lawson.

WD-40 is a household name here in the U.S., as well as the other 173 countries around the world where it is sold. WD-40 was originally invented 65 years ago, on September 23, 1953, by Rocket Chemical Company (later renamed the WD-40 Company) in sunny San Diego, California.

Lawson reportedly was working at home trying to develop a water displacing chemical to sell to Convair to protect the outer skin and working components of the Atlas ICBM missile.

The outer skin of these missiles also served as the outer wall of the missiles fabric-thin fuel balloon tanks, which had to be inflated with nitrogen when the rocket was on standby to prevent the fuel bladders from collapsing.

Upon discovering that the 40th attempt of creating this water displacing formula was successful, Lawson turned it over to the Rocket Chemical Company and earned a reward of $500, or equivalent to about $5,000 today.

From Missiles to Maintenance: WD-40’s Rise

Then RCC President Norman Larsen came up with the idea to package it in aerosol cans and market it for household uses, in addition to its nuclear arsenal upbringing.

In 1961, it had fully reached the consumer market, and by 1965, it was being used extensively by airlines including Delta and United on fixed and movable joints ranging from DC-8s and Boeing 720s for maintenance and overhaul, cleaning turbines, removing light rust from control lines and the handling and storage of metal parts.

In 1969, WD-40 had reached England, and in 1973 the now WD-40 Company went public with its first NASDAQ public stock offering.

While WD-40’s formula is a trade secret and has not been changed over the years, it was never patented to avoid having to publish the chemical make-up of the formula on its patent application.

For 65 years, the formula has remained a trade secret and is kept under lock and key, just like the magic formula for Coke and KFC.

Common Uses of WD-40

WD-40’s power lies in its versatility. Here are some of its most popular uses:

Household Uses

• Stops squeaky door hinges and window sliders
• Removes stickers, gum, and adhesive residue
• Cleans stainless steel and metal tools
• Protects metal furniture from rust

Automotive & Industrial Uses

• Loosens rusty bolts and nuts
• Cleans and protects engine parts
• Displaces water from ignition systems
• Lubricates hinges, pedals, and cables

Where Not to Use WD-40

While WD-40 is great for most tasks, there are places you shouldn’t use it:

• On bike chains (it removes lubricants rather than adding them)
• Inside locks (it can attract dirt and cause jamming)
• On rubber seals or plastic parts (it may degrade some materials)
• On painted surfaces (it might leave residue or dull the finish)

For those areas, use purpose-made lubricants or silicone-based sprays.

Why the Formula Remains a Secret

Despite being over 70 years old, WD-40’s formula has never been patented. Why? Because a patent would require publishing the exact chemical composition — and that would expose the “magic” recipe to competitors.

Like the Coca-Cola and KFC recipes, WD-40’s formula remains locked in a secure vault at company headquarters.

Safety & Best Practices

• Use in well-ventilated areas
• Avoid open flames — WD-40 is flammable
• Keep away from children
• Store below 50°C / 120°F
• If spraying on electronics, make sure the power is off and dry before reconnecting

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the product name stand for and how was it chosen?

It wasn’t just a solo act—Rocket Chemical Company was a small operation back in 1953, with only three staff members tinkering away in a modest San Diego lab. Their mission? To come up with a rust-prevention solvent and degreaser that could stand up to the demands of the aerospace industry.

It turned out this was no simple task: the elusive water-displacing formula took forty separate attempts before hitting the mark.

Upon discovering that the fortieth attempt of creating this water displacing formula was successful, Lawson turned it over to the Rocket Chemical Company and earned a reward of $500, or equivalent to about $5,000 today.

That original, top-secret formula—Water Displacement perfected on the 40th try—is still at the heart of the product used around the globe, proof that sometimes, persistence really does pay off.

What are the main uses of WD-40?

It’s used to displace moisture, prevent rust, loosen stuck parts, and clean metal surfaces across household, automotive, and industrial applications.

Where should you avoid using WD-40?

Avoid rubber seals, locks, or painted surfaces, as it can degrade or attract dirt.

When and why was a notable rust-prevention solvent and degreaser originally developed?

Back in 1953, in a modest San Diego lab, a team of just three inspired folks from Rocket Chemical Company set out with one goal: to tackle rust and grime for the burgeoning aerospace scene.

They weren’t aiming to conquer kitchen sinks—they wanted to keep rockets and machinery in tip-top shape as they soared skyward. The result?

After 40 tries and a healthy dose of California determination, they cooked up a water-displacing miracle that not only fought rust but turned out to solve about a thousand other sticky (or squeaky) household problems.

The formula that emerged from those early experiments has stood the test of time—just as handy today in garages and workshops as it was in the heyday of space-age invention.

By the early 1990s, how common was the product in American households and workplaces?

By the early 1990s, WD-40 had firmly cemented itself in American life—so much so that walking into any garage, utility closet, or hardware aisle without spotting its iconic blue-and-yellow can was like finding a unicorn in suburbia.

Surveys at the time revealed that a staggering 80 percent of American households kept a can handy, whether for squeaky doors, sticking locks, or the mysterious jobs only Dad seemed to know about.

And it wasn’t just a household hero. Among professionals, from mechanics and maintenance teams to airline technicians tinkering under the hoods of Delta and United jets, WD-40 had earned its stripes—over 8 out of 10 workers in related fields reportedly reached for it on the job.

The numbers told the tale: by this point, over a million cans were rolling off shelves each week, making WD-40 as much a fixture in American daily life as Coca-Cola in the fridge or Craftsman wrenches in the toolbox.