I'm shocked that no one has started a thread on John Barry (no relation to Dave Barry), the man principally responsible for marketing WD-40 to you and the rest of the world.

Here's the basic story: click here for story

I wonder if Mr. Barry was buried in a dark blue casket with yellow highlights.

WD-40's name stood for a "water displacement," a formula worked out on the 40th try.

I never realized that this useful product was originally a by-product of the space program, designed to protect nose cones of Atlas rockets! No wonder it does such a great job making locks function in freezing temperatures, not to mention loosening lug nuts on my boat trailer wheels after they've been corroded by salt water. It will even cure a hang-over!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble