At 3-IN-ONE we’re dedicated to making it easy for people to solve simple maintenance problems — and we’ve been doing something right because we’ve been around since 1894!

See the timeline of the product we all know and love below.

1894

It all started with George W. Cole who was curious enough to devise a plan to create a formula that would lubricate, prevent rust and clean. And it’s safe to say that it was a complete success. The results of this formula lead to the famous product we now know as 3-IN-ONE® Oil – because it does all three things in just one application!

1905-1910

The corporate charter was amended, and the name of the company was changed from G.W. Cole to 3-IN-ONE Oil Company. It’s at this point where the little green glass bottles were embossed with the 3-IN-ONE name and topped with a cork stopper – how retro! It’s around this time where the cork stopper was swapped out for metal screw-top caps, but the rest of the bottle stayed the same.

1933

The capital stock of 3-IN-ONE Oil Company was bought by Drug Incorporated, which later dissolved. At that time, the 3-IN-ONE Oil Company became part of Sterling Products Inc.

1936

A.S. Boyle Company, a subsidiary of American Home Products Corporation, purchased the brand from Sterling Products Inc, this is when 3-IN-ONE began being sold in small tin cans.

1994

To celebrate the product’s centennial, the 1994 packaging design featured a black banner on the front of the can which read “100 Years – Hundreds of Uses.”

1995

WD-40 Company officially acquires the worldwide 3-IN-ONE Oil business from Reckitt & Coleman Plc., the worldwide manufacturer and marketer of household, toiletry, pharmaceutical and food products.

1999

A new delivery system, the Telescoping Spout, is added to the product line. Reminiscent of an old-time oilcan, the plastic bottle comes with a five-inch extendable spout designed to get at hard-to-reach places.

2003

The 3-IN-ONE Professional line was introduced – a line of high-performance specialty products, essential for the home, factory and shop.

2004

Four new high-performance specialty formulas are added to the popular 3-IN-ONE Professional line.

2007

The Garage Door Lube is added to the 3-IN-ONE Professional line bringing the total line to nine formulas.

2012

The 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil with Marksman Spout, with its new ergonomically shaped bottle, on-off twist tip and product fill indicator, was introduced to help trade professionals apply oil precisely where it’s needed — and nowhere else.

2015

Another handy solution is born, 3-IN-ONE Lock Dry Lube, which penetrates and loosens locks.

2017

RV Maintenance is made easy with the new 3-IN-ONE RVcare Slide-Out Silicone Lube and the Window & Track Dry Lube. These products are specifically formulated to keep slide-outs, windows, and doors running smoothly- restoring calm to the campsite.