Do you know what WD-40 stands for? Hundreds shocked by the brand name’s true meaning
- WD-40 stands for Water Displacement – 40th Formula
- Many knew the meaning behind ‘WD’
- But were surprised by what the ’40’ represented
Hundreds have been left stunned after the true meaning behind the name WD-40 was revealed.
Many said they have been using the household degreaser for decades without knowing what the name stood for.
While a few people knew WD meant ‘Water Displacement’ they did not realise the 40 represented how many times the original founders took to nail the formula.
In 1953, it took chemists at the Rocket Chemical Company 40 tries before they created the perfect lubricant blend which was originally made to protect US missiles from rust.
The company later evolved into the WD-40 company when the popular product went was made commercial in 1961.
Shoppers have been shocked to learn that the popular product WD-40’s name stands for Water Displacement – 40th formula
WD-40 is widely known as a jack-of-all-trades tool used as a lubricant, rust preventive, penetrant and moisture displacer.
Twitter user Jason Levin asked ‘Without Googling: What does the ‘WD’ in WD-40 stand for?’ drawing in hundreds of responses.
Dozens submitted their guesses, both serious and humorous, with many knowing the answer was water displacement but the 40 remained a mystery.
‘I don’t know what I’m doing so this stuff Will Do,’ one user laughed.
‘Wet and drippy?’ a second joked while another quipped: ‘Work Dammit!’
‘Water displacement, 40 per cent? Not sure about the 40,’ a fourth guessed.
Jason revealed the meaning behind the name to be Water Displacement but it was another who solved the mystery behind what the 40 meant.
‘There were 39 versions that failed before number 40 was successful,’ they said.
‘I had NO idea, so I looked. Thanks for helping me to learn something today,’ someone wrote and another said: ‘I was today years old and never knew this’.