WD-40 was invented and recorded for the first time in the Rocket Chemical Company's logbook. It was the Water Displacement 40th test, and first successful, formula created by Norm Larsen, for a lubricating penetrating oil intented to displace water for rust prevention. In 1958, it was packaged in cans and sold to the consumer market in San Diego, California, where the company was founded in 1953. It was named WD-40, its original test designation. The name of the company Larsen founded reflects its original purpose to supply materials used in manufacture of nuclear missiles, for which WD-40 was designed to coat structural components and prevent corrosion. After wide success with its versatile, but only product, the company name was changed in 1969 to the WD-40 Company Inc.

Since the monks in Burma have taken to the streets just six days ago, thousands of ordinary men and women are now joining the protests against the ruling military dictatorship and the latest rally in the former capital Rangoon was estimated to be 20,000 strong. The protest originally began because of the large increase in the cost of fuel but are now focussed in removing the current regime. Over the next few days the numbers involved increased and on September 25, the ruling junta warned demonstrators that military force would be used to break up the demonstration, at the same time placing army trucks at Shwedagon Pagoda the assembly point for monks leading the protests.