3-in-One Oil is a general-purpose lubricating oil sold in small cans and squeezable containers for household

Household

The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....

 and do-it-yourself use. It was originally formulated in 1894. Its name, given by the inventor George W. Cole of New Jersey, derives from the product's triple ability to "clean, lubricate and protect," originally for use on bicycle

Bicycle

A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....

s. The formula consists of pale spindle oil

Spindle oil

Spindle oils are a type of low-viscosity mineral oils marketed for use in lubrication of high-speed machine spindles....

 with a small amount of corrosion inhibitor and citronella oil

Citronella oil

Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol and geraniol...

 (which gives the product its distinctive sharp odor). It remains a popular lubricant for bicycle chains.

The product changed ownership many times throughout the 20th century and was bought by its current owners, the WD-40

WD-40

WD-40 is the trademark name of a United States-made water-displacing spray. It was developed in 1953 by Norm Larsen, founder of the Rocket Chemical Company, San Diego, California. It was originally designed to repel water and prevent corrosion, and later was found to have numerous household...

 Company, in 1995. The current marketing slogan is "The Tool Kit In A Can" with the well-known logo of the text "3 in" inside a large numeral "1".

A few other products are now produced under the 3-in-1 brand, including a white lithium grease, silicone

Silicone

Silicones are inert, synthetic compounds with a variety of forms and uses. Typically heat-resistant and rubber-like, they are used in sealants, adhesives, lubricants, medical applications , cookware, and insulation....

 spray, and oil with added PTFE.

In 2000, the can was redesigned to look like the early 20th century oil can

Oil can

An oil can is a can that holds oil for lubricating machines. An oil can can also be used to fill oil-based lanterns...

design (hemisphere base with tapered straight spout).