Est. 1953
Heritage & History
WD-40 was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen, a chemist at the Rocket Chemical Company in San Diego, California. Larsen was working on a formula to displace water and prevent rust on Atlas missile components — the WD stands for Water Displacement, and 40 was the number of attempts before the formula succeeded. The product proved so effective that Convair aerospace engineers began smuggling cans out of the plant for personal use, leading Rocket Chemical to market it to consumers in 1958.
The WD-40 Company has been headquartered in San Diego since its founding, and the formula has remained in San Diego production for over 70 years. The original formulation — a trade secret never patented to prevent disclosure — has been refined but not fundamentally changed. This continuity of place and formula is unusual in consumer products.
Made in San Diego, California
WD-40 is formulated and filled at the San Diego production facility. The formula is a trade secret, but its documented performance characteristics — water displacement, rust prevention, lubrication, and penetration of seized fasteners — have been consistent across production batches for seven decades. This consistency is the result of maintaining production at the original San Diego facility with the same quality control standards that defined the aerospace-grade product.
The WD-40 Specialist line extends the brand into purpose-specific products: a PTFE dry lubricant, a penetrating catalyst, and a rust-removing soak. These products are also formulated in San Diego, representing the company's investment in developing more targeted chemistries for specific applications rather than relying solely on the original multi-use formula.
What Sets Them Apart
WD-40's market position is based on 70 years of demonstrated performance across essentially every application a lubricant and water displacer can be used for — a track record that has made the blue and yellow can a default in American garages, workshops, and tool boxes. The brand's penetrating capability for rusted fasteners, combined with its availability in virtually every retail outlet in America, makes it the first choice for the majority of household and workshop applications.
The Specialist Penetrant is a better choice than standard WD-40 for heavily corroded fasteners — the concentrated penetrating formula has lower surface tension and better capillary action into tight threads than the multi-use product. For buyers who regularly deal with seized hardware in older equipment or vehicles, investing in both products and using the Specialist for the serious jobs is the practical approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is WD-40 made in the USA?
Yes. WD-40 manufactures 6 verified products in San Diego, CA. WD-40 has been formulated in San Diego, California since 1953, when Norm Larsen developed the water-displacing formula for the aerospace industry, creating the most recognized household lubricant in American manufacturing history.
Where is WD-40 manufactured?
WD-40 is headquartered in San Diego, CA. Manufacturing takes place in San Diego, CA.
What WD-40 products can I buy?
We carry 6 verified WD-40 products across Automotive. Every listing links directly to Amazon with verified American manufacturing.
When was WD-40 founded?
WD-40 was founded in 1953. WD-40 has been formulated in San Diego, California since 1953, when Norm Larsen developed the water-displacing formula for the aerospace industry, creating the most recognized household lubricant in American manufacturing history.