3in1
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.
