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 Founded in 1929 by Swede Nils Testor the Testor Chemical Corporation initially made household glues. 
Balsa wood was used extensively during WW2 and post war large quantities of wood were still being produced but the demand from industry was almost non-existent. Testor realised that the wood was ideal for model aircraft and the Testors flying model range was launched together with a range of glues, paints and dopes to finish the models. The range was strengthened in 1949 by buying the company which produced McCoy model aero engines.
The late 50's and early 60's saw the launch of plastic kits creating a huge market for Testors enamel paints which were ideal for finishing the kits but although they were the market leaders in the USA for hobby paints and glues it wasn't until the acquisition of the Hawk and IMC ranges in the early 70's that Testors actually made their own branded kits. Hawk and IMC had produced some unusual aircraft kits including air racers and some of these kits were reissued by Testors in the early 1990's.
A marketing agreement with Italeri saw their kits released under the Testors label in the USA and 80 years after it was founded the company continues to manufacture kits, glues and paints for the hobby market.