Posted
7/22/2009 05:38:00 PM
by Douglas
Rest in peace, you slippery
sumbitch.
John S. Barry, an executive who masterminded the spread of WD-40, the petroleum-based lubricant and protectant created for the space program, into millions of American households, died on July 3 in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego. He was 84.
The company says surveys show that WD-40, the slippery stuff in the blue and yellow aerosol can, can be found in as many as 80 percent of American homes and that it has at least 2,000 uses, most discovered by users themselves. These include silencing squeaky hinges, removing road tar from automobiles and protecting tools from rust.
He didn't invent WD-40, but just like McDonald's, it needed a fresh set of
eyes to see its full potential.
The hinge on the door in my office would still be squeaking if it weren't for you.