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My Foot!

Posted by Pinneo on May 23, 2003

In Reply to: WD-40 posted by R. Berg on May 22, 2003

: : : : : What DOES WD-40 mean?

: : : : : WD-40 - "Trying to concoct a missile-part degreaser, Rocket Chemical techs mix 39 duds. But 'Water Displacement, Perfected on the 40th Try' works so well that employees sneak it home for all kinds of uses. So Rocket starts selling cans." Reader's Digest salute to innovations that were "born" in 1953. June 2003.

: : : : In the UK WD40 is an aerosol used for freeing up rusted screws and for getting rid of dampness out of engine compartments on winter mornings.

: : : Yes, it's the same in the U.S.

: : Not to be boringly prosaic, but it's also great for unsticking stiff keyholes (think "car in winter") and for getting those pesky price stickers from off store-bought products or panes of glass.

: Lighter fluid works wonders on those stickers and will clean pine resin off your hands after you prune a pine tree.

Everyone seems to know WHAT to use this stuff for, but will no one challenge that little story on the naming of this product?

Readers Digest? I think they were snowed as well...
39 tries +1?? sounds more like Click and Clack.

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