I don't know if you are right about the orginal use for WD-40 or not. While You are right about the (W)ater (D)isplacement and the fortieth attemp I have heard in the past that it was developed for the military in WW2 for use in electric motors in the jungles. As it was told to me the rains and heavy moisture would collect in motors that were just setting and when they were powered up they would of course short out and burn up. So the military ask for something to flush out the water before starting motors that would not catch fire when the electric was put to the motor. Saving time in getting replacement motors. Like I said this is what I had heard in the past. Fact,fiction or otherwise Who Knows.