on missile components.
Moisture was the enemy. Even small amounts of water could compromise sensitive metal parts, and failure wasn’t an option.
The project was led by chemist Norm Larsen, whose goal was not to invent a multi-purpose spray, but to create a formula capable of completely displacing water while leaving behind a protective coating on metal surfaces. The team worked methodically, testing formula after formula.
The first attempt didn’t work.
Neither did the second.
Or the third.
In fact, thirty-nine attempts failed to meet the strict requirements of aerospace
