People are only just realising what WD40 stands for and it’s blowing their minds
PEOPLE are only just realising what WD-40 really stands for - and have been left stunned by how blatantly obvious it is.
The rust preventation spray, which has more than 2000 uses, was first created in 1953 and is now a household name.
It was the creation of a chemist called Norm Larsen, who worked in a small lab in San Deigo, California.
After finally perfecting the formula in 1953, the product was made available across America, hitting shelves in 1958.
Today it’s available in 187 countries worldwide and is a popular choice amongst keen DIYers.
It is known to have five key uses - to lubricate, penetrate, protect against rust, remove grime and grease, and displace moisture.
But now Twitter users have been left stunned after learning what the two letters and number really stand for.
In a recent tweet, journalist David Muir asked his followers what they thought the acronym meant, writing: “What does WD-40 stand for?”
His post attracted plenty of attention, gaining more than 716 comments, 215 likes and 52 retweets.
Below, one Twitter user suggested, ‘whistling doohicky 40’, while another commented, ‘we did it 40th try’.
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Another put: “Something degreaser.”
“World Domination 40 is what it should be named!” joked a third.
Someone else was close when they suggested: “WD -40 means wrong decision 40 times to make the correct formula.”
Others shared that they were either stumped or hadn’t really considered it, with another commenting: “U got me, Dave.”
Someone else put: “LOL shame on all of us for Google-ing that.”
However, it really means Water Displacement, 40th formula.
On the WD-40 website, it states: “Wd-40 literally stands for water displacement, 40th formula…
“WD-40 Multi-Use-Product is the name the chemist who developed the product back in 1953 used, straight from his lab book.
“The chemist was Norm Larsen, working in a small lab in San Diego, California.
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“He attempted to create a formula to prevent metal corrosion on rockets for the Aerospace industry.
“Norm’s persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.”