Means WD-40. History of invention and production

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HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY, OBJECTS AROUND US
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Means WD-40. History of invention and production

The history of technology, technology, objects around us

Directory / The history of technology, technology, objects around us

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WD-40 is an American company and brand name for a famous aerosol formulation developed by Norman Larsen in 1953 for the Rocket Chemical Company, San Diego, California. It was originally developed for industrial users as a water repellent to prevent corrosion. Later it was found that it also has many possibilities for domestic use.

According to corporate legend, the formula of the product was developed from the fortieth attempt (WD-40 as an abbreviation for the English. Water Displacement - 40th Attempt).

WD-40 tool

Rusted nut? No problem! Do door hinges creak? No problem! Chewing gum stuck to your clothes? And in this case, the universal tool WD-40, well known to motorists, will easily save the situation.

The beginning of the 1950s was the heyday of the aviation industry and the birth of the space industry. Convair, a division of General Dynamics, one of the main players in the field of defense orders, the US military ordered the development and construction of the first American Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (these missiles served 47 years, sending many probes to the Moon and the planets of the solar system).

However, the designers faced one minor, but very unpleasant problem. The missiles were assembled at the company's plant in the California city of San Diego and transported to a nearby test site for testing, during which time the parts corroded under the influence of moisture (especially in winter), and the condensate led to disruptions in the operation of electrical systems. It was impossible to achieve absolute sealing of the structure, as well as to apply a layer of lubricant to all parts, and the ubiquitous moisture did its dirty work. The company's chemists shrugged their shoulders, but one of them still turned to his friend Norm Larsen, the founder of a small company with the proud name of Rocket Chemical Company ("Rocket Chemical Company").

Larsen, along with the entire staff of the firm (consisting of two assistants), began to experiment with various mixtures of kerosene, white spirit, mineral oil and other components. But success was not given in any way - the compositions were either too viscous and did not adhere well to wet metal, or too liquid and dried out quickly. More complaints came from Convair, and the process was repeated over and over again. And finally, on the 40th attempt, this vicious circle was broken. To the amazement of already almost desperate designers and chemists, the nut treated with a new composition, even after a long stay in a humid atmosphere, shone like new. Without thinking twice, Larsen dubbed the composition WD-40 (Water Displacement - water displacer).

The Convair designers were very pleased: WD-40 did its job well, and not only in the aerospace industry - some of the employees used the composition for processing automotive parts. This led Larsen to go beyond rockets, and in 1958 the famous aerosol cans of WD-40 appeared on store shelves.

In 1961, a small change was made to the composition - a flavor was added to discourage the smell of oil, and in 1969 the company was renamed the WD-40 Company - according to the only product at that time, the "miraculous elixir", which is now familiar to almost every motorist and mechanics.

The main ingredient of the product is white spirit. The mineral oil included in the composition, remaining on any surface, provides lubrication and long-term protection against moisture. Also, the product contains various volatile hydrocarbons, which give the product a low viscosity and the ability to be sprayed in the form of an aerosol. This method is suitable for the conservation of equipment containing hidden cavities and cracks.

WD-40 is used in auto repair shops - for unscrewing rusted nuts, bolts, provided that the thread is open.

Author: S.Apresov

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