WD40 is one of the most magical products known to mankind. You can fix just about anything with WD40. Squeaky hinges? Try WD40. Nut and bolt seized up? No problem! Just squirt some WD40. Dandruff? Hair loss? Lawn mower problems? Tar on your car's body work? Tap washer stuck? No matter what your issue is - WD40 can solve it.
Is there a home in the western world that does not possess a spraycan of WD40? Another splendid thing about WD40 is that the cans are everlasting. I have had my current can of WD40 since 1982. As I say - WD40 possesses magical qualities.
I was wondering. What is WD40 and who invented it?
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| Norman B. Larsen - the possible inventor of WD40. I could find no images of Iver Norman Lawson |
The inventor of WD40 may have been Iver Norman Lawson but it could have been Norman B. Larsen. There is a continuing dispute about who was responsible. The product was never properly patented.
Similarly, there is continuing disagreement about what WD40 actually contains. What are its ingredients? The American explanation is rather different from the European Union's analysis but both agree that a petroleum derivative makes up the bulk of the recipe.
Some critics of WD40 have suggested that because of its water displacement properties, WD40 is not a suitable alternative to oil. Sure - it will make moving parts operate more smoothly for a while but in the long run it will have a deleterious effect. However, I expect that all of these critics will have cans of WD40 at home. As most of us know from experience - WD40 is magic!
Gregg just saw it in gel form the other day and got so excited he had to tell me all about it!!! It really is magic.
ReplyDeleteIs the gel for bedroom use?
DeleteHa! Good one!
DeleteYes, I have WD 40. I rarely think about it but the Micro manager thinks that WD 40 can fix almost anything.
ReplyDeleteIf you do trip up on the way home from Billy Bob's Saloon, The Micro Manager should spray you with WD40 - then you'll be perfectly fine.
DeleteLove WD40!! Don't know what's in it, either. It was only in more recent years that I understood WD to stand for Water Displacement. My much younger and more impressionable self had fallen victim to a tale as told to me by one of my London brokers that his grandfather was part of the team who invented it during WWII, and in the spirit of the day it was named after their department, War Department 40.
ReplyDeleteI had heard it was invented in West Derbyshire by Walter Dunham on a Week Day.
DeleteI can categorically assert that the D does not mean Dunham.
DeleteWe have a similar thing sold here in Australia - called RP7. The Golfer says there's not much difference but I see a can of WD 40 out in the garage!
ReplyDeleteRP7? I suspect that the RP stands for "Rip" as in "Rip Off"!
DeleteSee immediately above. P stands for Pudding.
DeleteI certainly always have a can of WD-40. Actually, I've got two cans.
ReplyDeleteWithin the next week I intend using it on the passenger door of my car. The door is rarely opened...I don't carry passengers...and my car is always outside, not under cover. After a while the lock needs a squirt or two of WD-40 to loosen it up. (I think my hips could do with some!)
It's a very handy, useful product.
IF the WD40 company see this comment they might use it in a new advertising campaign.
DeleteThat and duct tape, the best stuff ever.
ReplyDeleteI used to think it was called duck tape and imagined all the ducks that had been slaughtered to make it.
DeleteGreat for removing stubborn sticky labels too.
ReplyDeleteI should have remembered to include that in the blogpost.
DeleteErm... I am maybe the one home in the western world that does NOT possess a can of WD40. Although I am pretty sure Steve, as the DIY enthusiast he was, had one among his many tools and spare parts, it has not been seen in the last 10 years.
ReplyDeleteIf OK reads this, he will now know what to buy you for Christmas... along with the ring!
DeleteBut do you still have the original little plastic straw from 1982. Small bore. Actually, thank you for reminding me: I must now go oil the garage door lock.
ReplyDeleteSadly the small bore PS-27 went missing in 1994. June 17th I believe. I had been spraying the undercarriage of our lawn mower. I have had many sleepless nights worrying about that.
DeleteDo you think it would be any good for rusty brains? If so, I'm off to buy a can.
ReplyDeleteIt can remedy sensory losses but I do not advise removing a piece of skull in order to spray directly on to the brain.
DeleteThis post reminded me of "Swarfega"what happened to that. We always had that in the cupboard.
ReplyDelete~Briony
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You will be delighted to learn that Swarfega Original Classic Hand cleaner is available for only £2.98 a tub at B&Q. The ideal Christmas gift!
DeleteWD40 and Windex are in everyones kit!
ReplyDeleteIs Windex an Australian version of Durex?
DeleteOh, the things we can learn here.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I'm pretty sure that everyone has a can of that stuff somewhere.
Spray on over-amorous roosters to reduce desire.
DeleteAbsolutely magic! I must admit I'd never thought to look into its background, though -- so thanks for that.
ReplyDelete(Oh, and no offense taken at your joke re. the spam comment on my blog the other day. I just removed it because I removed the spam, and without it, your joke made no sense. :) )
Oh that's a relief Steve. I imagined you fuming about me and gnashing your teeth.
DeleteWell if you have has it for near on 40 years, it hasn't been used much?
ReplyDeleteBeing a Yorkshire lad I use it very sparingly. In any case, I believe it is self-replenishing like Jesus's wine carafes.
DeleteWD40 - large can in garage/workshop and small one in the house. Invaluable. How on earth have you had a can since 1982 and, more to the point, how on earth do you know that? Duct tape is number 2 on my list. My latest must have is spray grease. No more replacing garage door rollers or gate closing springs: wonderful stuff.
ReplyDeleteI know I bought it in 1982 because I checked my "Expenditures" diary. Back in 1982 a pint of beer cost just 62p and in that year I purchased 542 of them - costing me £336.
DeleteYou must have far too much time on your hands! I wouldn't even know what I spent today. Nor would I want to.
DeleteWe're certainly holding up our end here in Nova Scotia - WD40 has been in our garage for years. WD40 for unsticking, and duct tape for sticking. The only tools anyone needs :)
ReplyDeleteYeah! Who needs screwdrivers, chisels, spanners, axes, hammers or electric drills?
DeleteI became a full time artist, selling at art shows, back in the eighties. A can of WD40 came into my repertoire sometime back then, and remains in my possession today. I acquired my first roll of duct tape about then, too. The operative word there is "first".
ReplyDeleteA painting of a can of WD-40 and a roll of duct tape would speak volumes about life in the 21st century.
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