The Conveyer Company bought it in bulk to protect their Atlas missile parts. The workers were so pleased with the product, they began smuggling (Also known as "shrinkage" or "stealing") it out to use at home. The executives decided there might be a consumer market for it and put it in Aerosol cans. The rest, as they say, is history.

It is a carefully guarded recipe known only to four people. Only one of them is the "brew master." There are about 2.5 million gallons of the Stuff manufactured each year. It gets it's distinctive smell from a fragrance That is added to the brew. Ken East says there is nothing in WD-40 that would hurt you.

Here are some of its uses:

1. Protects silver from tarnishing

2. Cleans and lubricates guitar strings

3. Gets oil spots off concrete driveways

4. Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making it slippery

5. Keeps flies off cows

6. Restores and cleans chalkboards

7. Removes lipstick stains

8. Loosens stubborn zippers

9. Untangles jewelry chains

10. Removes stains from stainless steel sinks

11. Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill

12. Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing

13. Removes tomato stains from clothing

14. Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots

15. Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors

16. Keeps scissors working smoothly

17. Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes

18. Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide

19. Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers

20. Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises

21. Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open

22. Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close

23. Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers

24. Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles

25. Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans

26. Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling

27. Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.  Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools

We're not through -- here's more:

28. Removes splattered grease on stove

29. Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging

30. Lubricates prosthetic limbs

31. Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)

32. Removes all traces of duct tape

33. I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands,

knees, Etc., to relieve arthritis pain.

34. One fellow claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish.

35. WD-40 has been designated the "official multipurpose problem - solver of NASCAR," a ringing endorsement if there ever was one.

In celebration of their 50th year, the company conducted a contest to learn the favorite uses of its customers and fan club members (yes, there is a WD-40 Fan Club).

They compiled the information to identify the favorite use in each of the 50 states. Naturally I was curious about Georgia and Alabama, and found the favorite use in both states was that it "penetrates stuck bolts, lug nuts, and hose ends." Florida's favorite use was "cleans and removes lovebugs from grills and bumpers."

California's favorite use was penetrating the bolts on the Golden Gate Bridge.

Let me close with one final, wonderful use, the favorite use in the

State of New York -- WD-40 protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

No wonder they have had 50 successful years.

One person says one thing he has found that you do not get it on

anything that is TO BE painted. You won't be able to paint that item.

PS........If you are bitten by a fire ant, spray the area immediately with WD40, it will take the sting away. We've tried it, it works.

Mosquito Remedy

Pass this on to anyone who likes sitting out in the evening or when

they're having a cook out. So you don't like those pesky mosquitoes, the potential to carry the West Nile

Virus? Here's a tip that was given at a recent gardening forum.

Put some water in a white dinner plate and add a couple drops of Lemon Fresh Joy dish detergent. Set the dish on your porch, patio, or other outdoor area. Not sure what attracts them, the lemon smell, the white plate color, or what, but mosquitoes flock to it, and drop dead shortly after drinking the Lemon Fresh Joy/water mixture, and usually within about 10 feet of the plate.

amberco@swbell.net