DeTomaso Mailing List: March 2000, Message #120

Yep, I have to admit, the legends about the stuff are true then. Having
worked on the Atlas program (to which they still use the stuff to
protect the stainless steel skin of the craft), I was told that it was
originally designed for use on that rocket. Thanks, Kirby. It's true
from what I read. Cal. #2428r.

Kirby@mail.realbig.com wrote:

> For those trivia freaks...
>
> http://www.howstuffworks.com/question155.htm
>
> This is the sort of burning question that lots of people wonder about
> for some reason... I guess if you use the stuff all the time it bugs
> you after awhile!
>
> To solve the mystery, the best place to go is the WD-40 web site at
> http://www.wd40.com. This is actually a pretty neat site! If you dig
> around a little, you find the following fascinating quote:
>
> "WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's
> the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who
> developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was
> attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion-a task which is
> done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he
> perfected the formula on his 40th try. Please see our history section
> for more information."
>
> Now don't you feel better knowing that?!