[Elecraft] New Guy

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

The first place I saw WD40 used was by the drumfull at Convair in San =
Diego
in the 1960's. I was researching possible launch vehicles for a =
satellite
for my employer, Sylvania Electronic Systems.

It was used because Convair was building the USA's first operational
"intercontential ballistic missile" - the Atlas rocket -in San Diego and =
the
finished vehicles were stored outdoors. The marine air quickly gave all
exposed steel parts a coating of rust. WD-40 was used to displace the =
water
and prevent rust. =20

As I recall, Convair claimed they developed the formula which, as you =
point
out Gregg, stands for Water Displacement formula. I suppose they tried =
40
times to "get it right" but I don't know that part of the story <G>.=20

Convair may have developed the formula under a US government contract, =
which
would have made it government property.=20

In those days, the US Army, Navy, and Air Forces all had their own =
rocket
development programs and the Atlas "belonged" to the Air Force.  So I
suppose that the USAF "owned" WD-40 as well.

=20

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289

-----Original Message-----
WD40 was developed for the precurser of NASA..the USAF Rocket Division =
and
it stands for Water Displacement Formula #40.  The manufacturer as you =
can
see took 40 tries to get it right.  It was designed to remove Dew and =
Water
from Rockets so they didn't freeze and get an ice coating.

Gregg R. Lengling, W9DHI, Retired
K2/100 SN 3075