Norm Larsen
Encyclopedia
Norman B. Larsen was an industrial chemist
whose most famous invention is WD-40
. Born in Chicago
in the 1920s, he had an insatiable desire to create things that would help make life easier for people. In his later years, his love of history inspired him to seek techniques to preserve antiquities, saving many treasures.
He invented WD-40 while attempting to concoct a formula to displace water
, which was causing major problems in Atlas Rockets. Larsen's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula for the water displacer on his 40th try, hence the product name: WD-40.
A self-taught chemist with a background in the paint business, Larsen was just a high school graduate - everything he knew he learned by reading books. His collection of antique chemistry books from the 18th and 19th centuries still survives today. When he died he had over a thousand books in his personal library.
When Larsen sold WD-40 and Rocket Chemical in the early-fifties for a mere $20,000.00 (no royalties, no residuals, as he believed he would always be able to invent something better), to Sam Crivello, Gene DeFalco, and two other guys. Larsen went to work for CRC Industries
(not General Dynamics) as their head chemist (which would explain why their 5.56 formula is similar to WD-40).
He started his own manufacturing company and consulting firm a few years later outside Philadelphia, and created metal and wood preservation techniques for treasure hunter Mel Fisher
, explorer Fred Dickinson of the Santa Maria Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution
, the Marine Corps
, where he came up with a pellet pack that was very useful in helping solve the gun jamming problem during the Vietnam War
, and he was a consultant on the recovery of the 17th century Swedish ship the "Vasa".
Larsen also invented a very successful formula for hand cream, a hair restorer, and "Green Giant Udder Ointment", a petroleum jelly
based ointment that was used to heal cow udder
s from the chafing of milking machines, but turned out to be an excellent healer for burns and all wounds.
He died in December 1970 at the young age of 47, never realizing his dream of creating a product better than WD-40 for worldwide distribution. He did create a product called Free N' Kleen which actually was better than WD-40 or CRC
, but a few years after his death the company went out of business, and the formula was lost.
Chemist
A chemist is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties such as density and acidity. Chemists carefully describe the properties they study in terms of quantities, with detail on the level of molecules and their component atoms...
whose most famous invention is 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...
. Born in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
in the 1920s, he had an insatiable desire to create things that would help make life easier for people. In his later years, his love of history inspired him to seek techniques to preserve antiquities, saving many treasures.
He invented WD-40 while attempting to concoct a formula to displace water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
, which was causing major problems in Atlas Rockets. Larsen's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula for the water displacer on his 40th try, hence the product name: WD-40.
A self-taught chemist with a background in the paint business, Larsen was just a high school graduate - everything he knew he learned by reading books. His collection of antique chemistry books from the 18th and 19th centuries still survives today. When he died he had over a thousand books in his personal library.
When Larsen sold WD-40 and Rocket Chemical in the early-fifties for a mere $20,000.00 (no royalties, no residuals, as he believed he would always be able to invent something better), to Sam Crivello, Gene DeFalco, and two other guys. Larsen went to work for CRC Industries
CRC Industries
CRC Industries is a manufacturer and distributor of industrial chemicals for maintenance and repair of marine, electrical, industrial, automotive and aviation equipment....
(not General Dynamics) as their head chemist (which would explain why their 5.56 formula is similar to WD-40).
He started his own manufacturing company and consulting firm a few years later outside Philadelphia, and created metal and wood preservation techniques for treasure hunter Mel Fisher
Mel Fisher
Mel Fisher was an American treasure hunter best known for finding the 1622 wreck of the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Atocha named after a shrine in Madrid for protection. He discovered the wreck July 20, 1985...
, explorer Fred Dickinson of the Santa Maria Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
, the Marine Corps
Marine corps
A marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
, where he came up with a pellet pack that was very useful in helping solve the gun jamming problem during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and he was a consultant on the recovery of the 17th century Swedish ship the "Vasa".
Larsen also invented a very successful formula for hand cream, a hair restorer, and "Green Giant Udder Ointment", a petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly
Petroleum jelly, petrolatum, white petrolatum or soft paraffin, CAS number 8009-03-8, is a semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons , originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties...
based ointment that was used to heal cow udder
Udder
An udder is an organ formed of the mammary glands of female quadruped mammals, especially ruminants such as cattle, goats, sheep and deer. The udder is a single mass hanging beneath the animal, consisting of pairs of mammary glands...
s from the chafing of milking machines, but turned out to be an excellent healer for burns and all wounds.
He died in December 1970 at the young age of 47, never realizing his dream of creating a product better than WD-40 for worldwide distribution. He did create a product called Free N' Kleen which actually was better than WD-40 or CRC
, but a few years after his death the company went out of business, and the formula was lost.